The head of the Lebanese Phalange Party, Representative Sami Gemayel, drew a map of priorities for the next stage, putting resolving the issue of weapons outside the state at the forefront, before moving on to rebuilding institutions, addressing concerns among the Lebanese, and launching an internal reconciliation path that establishes long-term stability.
During a tour in the Jbeil district, Gemayel considered that Lebanon had a real opportunity to turn the page on the wars and open a new phase, but he stressed that this required moving away from half-measures, temporary settlements, patchwork and postponement, and instead working to address internal and external problems from their roots.
He said that the priority begins with ending the reality of weapons outside the state, especially the party’s weapons, considering that it is not possible to build a state, economy, stability, or future in the presence of an armed force outside legitimate institutions.
Gemayel stressed the necessity of arranging priorities and not fighting two battles at the same time, explaining that the arms file must be resolved first, after which the stage of dealing with internal files, rebuilding the state, and restoring the relationship between the Lebanese begins.
He warned that moving to the second stage before completing the first would lead to dispersing efforts and preventing reaching a final and stable settlement.
He explained that the next stage must be based on a frank Lebanese discussion during which all mutual files and concerns are raised, warning against ignoring or postponing them, because any Lebanese component’s feeling of fear for its existence may push it to search for external support in the face of other components.
He pointed out that the Lebanese, at various stages, sought refuge abroad as a result of the imbalance that befell the internal relationship between them, considering that breaking this cycle begins with reforming the relationship between the Lebanese, after ending the arms issue, leading to a true reconciliation based on clear and stable foundations and ending the logic of bullying abroad.
In the same context, Gemayel called for standing by the legitimate authority and protecting the existing political path, considering that the President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, and the Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, are moving in the right direction.
He pointed out that, in 36 years, Lebanon had not witnessed, as he put it, a position similar to that of the Prime Minister confronting a militia leader, while the President of the Republic is working through his contacts in the United States to restore Lebanon’s sovereignty and liberate its land.
He concluded by emphasizing that what is required today is to protect this path until the weapons file is completed, before moving to the state-building stage, addressing concerns and launching comprehensive internal reconciliation.
Gemayel had begun his tour of Jbeil from the town of Halat, where he participated in a mass for the repose of the souls of the martyrs in the Church of Saint George, followed by a meeting with the Phalangists and the people, before visiting former President Michel Suleiman in Amchit.
He also held a youth meeting in Bmehreen, and moved to Kfarmashoun to meet with a number of activists and mukhtars. His tour included a visit to the Monastery of Saint Maron in Annaya and prayer in front of the shrine of Saint Charbel, before he participated in the Tartaj town festival and concluded his tour with two receptions in Jaj and Lehfed.
Gemayel’s position comes at a time when the issue of restricting weapons to the state occupies an advanced position in the internal political debate, in parallel with official efforts to strengthen the authority of legitimate institutions and consolidate the role of the army and security forces, while this is accompanied by calls to address internal divisions and concerns within a political path that guarantees the stability of the state and prevents renewed crises.
