Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel expressed optimism that Lebanon would have a new president on January 9, provided that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri commits to holding an open electoral session with consecutive voting rounds until a candidate is elected.
Gemayel confirmed in an interview that Kataeb lawmakers will attend the session and participate in every voting round.
"Let the best candidate win," he said.
When asked about the possibility of running for the presidency himself, Gemayel noted that this option was not currently under consideration, stressing that anything is possible but should happen at the appropriate time.
"My candidacy is not on the table at the moment. Everything should come at the right time," he stated, explaining that any such move would depend on political developments. "If circumstances lead in that direction, we will consider it, but the priority remains saving Lebanon and addressing its crises."
Addressing the possibility of Kataeb MPs voting for Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea for president, Gemayel remarked, "Why not? What matters is that the candidate is committed to the sovereignty of the state."
He acknowledged that the opposition has yet to agree on a presidential candidate due to differing approaches, outlining the need for continued coordination. Gemayel also revealed that he reached out to Geagea and is awaiting a response to discuss further collaboration.
On the candidacy of Army Commander General Joseph Aoun, Gemayel expressed admiration for his exceptional role during Lebanon’s recent conflict, saying that the latter has demonstrated great wisdom and has managed to establish himself on all levels.
"We have an excellent relationship, and I see no objection to Aoun becoming president," he stated.
When asked if he was pleased with Marada leader Sleiman Frangieh’s withdrawal from the presidential race, Gemayel responded, "Not at all. I have great respect for Sleiman Frangieh. Our issue with him was never personal but centered on his alignment with Hezbollah and the Syrian regime."
"Anyone has the right to run for president as long as he does not compromise Lebanon’s sovereignty or cede its decision-making power to Iran or any other state. We must commit to democratic principles and accept the election results as determined by Parliament."
Gemayel reiterated that the fight for Lebanon’s sovereignty and independence remains paramount, opposing any attempts to dominate the country’s decision-making through armed force, as Hezbollah has done. He called for implementing the ceasefire agreement, placing all weapons under the Lebanese Army's exclusive control, and reasserting the state's authority over all its territories.
"Will they attempt to disrupt this path? Certainly. But whether they will succeed is uncertain," he remarked.
Gemayel questioned Iran’s intentions regarding its influence in Lebanon, casting doubt on whether Tehran is still intent on maintaining a military foothold in Lebanon.
"Is Iran still determined to maintain a military foothold in Lebanon along the Mediterranean, or has this project been dropped? So far, I don’t have an answer to this question, and I still don't know what the Iranians are thinking. When they say they've agreed to the ceasefire deal, it means they’ve agreed to dismantle their military network in Lebanon. But in practice, we see procrastination, manipulation, and attempts to buy time and postpone implementation. They say one thing and do the opposite. Either they’re psychologically influencing their supporters to make the transition smoother, or they’re trying to sidestep the agreement," he elaborated. " If this is an attempt to buy time or evade commitments, it will face resistance from the Lebanese people, the international community, and possibly Israel."
Gemayel noted that Hezbollah has been betrayed, as Iran had promised to help if the group was attacked, a pledge that Tehran has obviously reneged on. He, therefore, expressed hope that Hezbollah has finally come to realize and understand what had transpired, stressing that Lebanon should not be rebuilt without them.
He confirmed that there are currently no contacts with Hezbollah and urged the group to reconsider its position. "How long will it take for Hezbollah’s supporters to see through the indoctrination and return to reason?" he asked.
Gemayel stressed that Lebanon’s democratic system allows Hezbollah to participate in politics and express its views, but only without weapons.
"There can be no genuine national partnership under the shadow of intimidation and accusations of treason," he said. The Kataeb Party, he added, has always been open to cooperation with Hezbollah, provided it lays down its arms.
Gemayel emphasized that the country has gone bankrupt and been destroyed due to political sectarianism and the failure to address critical issues, with everyone lying to one another.
Gemayel advocated for a national conference aimed at forging frankness and reconciliation to help the Lebanese people move forward.
"This initiative would allow all parties to express their views and open a new chapter in Lebanon’s history," he stated. "Such a dialogue is essential for bridging differences and building a united and sovereign state."
Gemayel described the collapse of the Syrian regime as a long-awaited dream, marking a historic turning point for both Syria and Lebanon. Reflecting on years of struggle against the Syrian regime’s tutelage over Lebanon, Gemayel recalled moments "when we were told to surrender to the dominance of the Syrian-Iranian axis. But we always believed that history provides pivotal opportunities that can change the course of events—just like in 2005 when Syria withdrew from Lebanon."
Gemayel emphasized that dictatorships are inherently unsustainable, calling them “unnatural systems” that are doomed to fail.
“This is what happened in Syria,” he stated, asserting that the regime's collapse was inevitable.
Gemayel outlined several key factors that contributed to the Syrian regime's fall. Among them was Hezbollah’s weakened position in Lebanon, which impaired its ability to support and manage military operations in Syria. He also cited external factors, such as the war in Ukraine and Syria’s deepening economic crisis, which accelerated the regime’s decline.
“These crises combined to hasten the downfall of the Syrian regime,” Gemayel remarked, acknowledging the speed at which the political landscape in Syria has shifted.
Describing the significance of the regime's fall, Gemayel called it a deeply personal moment.
“I couldn’t help but think of my brother Pierre and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives fighting against Syrian occupation,” he said. He also reflected on his own activism as a student, recalling the battles he fought against the Syrian regime during his youth.
Commenting on the new leadership in Syria, Gemayel expressed cautious optimism. “I don’t think the Syrian people will tolerate another regime rooted in religious ideology. The early signs we’ve seen so far are reassuring,” he noted. However, he emphasized the importance of allowing the Syrian people to rebuild their country on a foundation of justice and sustainability.
Gemayel stressed that the fall of the Syrian regime has brought much-needed relief to Lebanon, which has suffered years of aggression and interference. He cited incidents such as the Michel Samaha and Ali Mamlouk case, where Syrian officials were caught using Lebanese individuals to orchestrate mosque bombings aimed at inciting violence in Lebanon.
Gemayel also addressed the issue of Lebanese detainees in Syria, acknowledging the complexity of the matter.
“There are countless prisons in Syria, each operated by different security agencies. Resolving this issue will require significant time and effort,” he said, calling for collaboration between the International Red Cross and the Lebanese government to uncover the fate of these detainees.
When asked about establishing contact with the new Syrian leadership, Gemayel clarified that there has been no communication with them so far.
"Moving forward, we must base our relationship with Syria on mutual respect and equality—state-to-state relations. We need to define clear principles for relations with Syria to avoid falling back into the flawed practices of the past."
“We have an opportunity to build a healthier and more constructive relationship with Syria,” Gemayel concluded. “But this requires careful planning and a commitment to doing things differently.”
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