Latest news with #Kataeb
Nahar Net
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Gemayel files complaint against Hezbollah official over threats to civil peace
by Naharnet Newsdesk 14 July 2025, 12:53 Kataeb leader Sami Gemayel filed Monday a complaint against Faisal Shukr, a senior Hezbollah official in the Bekaa region. The complaint alleges that Shukr's public speech on July 6, 2025, during Hezbollah's Ashoura procession, included direct threats to kill those who call for disarming the party, incitement to violence, and sectarian rhetoric. In the speech, Shukr told the Lebanese who want to take Hezbollah's arms, "we will take your souls," adding that weapons are sacred to the group and linking Hezbollah's disarmament to the liberation of Palestine. "We will not disarm before Zionists leave Palestine," Shukr said.
MTV Lebanon
02-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Gemayel, Abdel Massih call for clear disarmament timeline
Kataeb leader Samy Gemayel met with MP Adib Abdel Massih at the party's headquarters in Saifi to discuss recent political developments both at the local and regional levels, with a focus on critical national issues. Following the meeting, Abdel Massih described the Kataeb Party as 'a primary political ally,' emphasizing the importance of consulting with Gemayel amid pressing challenges, chief among them the disarmament of all armed groups and the anticipated visit of U.S. envoy Tom Barrack to Beirut. He stressed the 'need for the state, notably the government, to establish a clear timetable for disarmament,' expressing hope that 'the decision to disarm comes from Hezbollah before it is enforced by the Lebanese state.' Abdel Massih added that rallying behind state institutions would foster an environment conducive to leading Lebanon 'out of the dark tunnel toward stability and investment.' Highlighting regional contrasts, Abdel Massih outlined "the rapid government-led investments taking place in Syria," saying "Lebanon should be a land of investment, not wars; a land of future opportunities, not conflicts.' He called for an end to the ongoing divisions over the issue of non-state weapons, stressing that now is the time to resolve this matter and chart a new course for Lebanon. "We hope this begins with a promising summer and a thriving tourism season that restores hope and growth.' The lawmaker further pointed out that Hezbollah, as a member of the Lebanese government, is bound by the ministerial statement, which reflects the president's inaugural speech that calls for the state's exclusive control of arms. 'Therefore, Hezbollah has no alternative; it is the party that signed the ceasefire agreement with Israel and committed to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701,' he said. He concluded by emphasizing the legal, constitutional, and national necessity of disarmament. 'Weapons do not protect Lebanon; they are the root cause of crises and collapse, and they risk triggering sanctions. The European Union has placed Lebanon on its gray list and may soon move it to the blacklist. It is time to draw a red line and focus on building Lebanon's institutions and prosperity; this is something that can only happen by confining weapons to the legitimate authority of the state.'
MTV Lebanon
01-07-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Gemayel says shiite diaspora vote seen as threat to political monopoly
Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel warned that efforts to block full voting rights for Lebanese expatriates are part of a broader political scheme aimed at suppressing dissenting voices within the Shiite community and preserving outdated power structures. Following a meeting with MP Mark Daou at the Kataeb Party's headquarters in Saifi, Gemayel issued sharp criticism of the latest legislative session, from which opposition lawmakers withdrew after Speaker Nabih Berri declined to add a proposed draft law on diaspora voting to the agenda. 'Our goal was never to disrupt the session,' Gemayel said. 'There were important items up for discussion, and we wanted to attend, debate, and vote on what matters. But the way the expatriate voting issue was being manipulated left us no choice but to walk out.' Gemayel said the campaign to restrict non-resident Lebanese from voting for all 128 parliamentary seats is being driven by fear of one specific group: Shiite expatriates. 'It is becoming increasingly clear that this fear stems from the belief that Shiite voters abroad would support the Lebanese state and the project of state-building,' he said. 'The attempt to cancel their vote is not about ensuring equality between Lebanese citizens, as some claim; it is about eliminating the impact of a Shiite voice abroad that could break the current monopoly and bring diversity into the Shiite community, just as we see in other sects.' Gemayel accused opponents of using misleading rhetoric to mask their intentions. 'All the slogans raised by the other side are smokescreens to hide the truth. This only makes us more determined to ensure that expatriates can vote for the full parliamentary seats, across all districts,' he said. 'Their votes are key to liberating and rebuilding this country, and ushering in a new era of peace, openness, prosperity, reform, and modernization.' Echoing Gemayel's concerns, MP Mark Daou said his visit to the Kataeb headquarters was part of ongoing coordination with political allies on the growing crisis in Parliament and the battle for diaspora voting rights. 'I came to discuss the developments in Parliament, especially the right of over 1.5 million Lebanese expatriates to vote,' Daou said. 'More than half the chamber is committed to this right and has signed a petition that will be formally submitted to the Speaker and the Bureau of Parliament.' Daou blamed the recent legislative deadlocks on what he called a 'sweeping commitment among MPs to ensure that the diaspora is treated fairly and allowed to vote based on their home districts for all 128 lawmakers, just like residents.' 'We coordinated on how to escalate pressure, activate Parliament's internal rules, and push to place the urgent diaspora voting bill on the legislative agenda,' Daou said. 'We want it to be put to a vote and passed, as demanded by a clear majority of the Lebanese people.' Daou described the push for diaspora voting as a "decisive battle" that could reshape Lebanon's political future. 'This fight will define political participation for all Lebanese. It will also determine the real balance of power on which we can begin building a new post-conflict Lebanon—one that reopens to the world, protects its sovereignty, and gives citizens the hope of meaningful change,' he said. 'This opportunity cannot be wasted due to the obstruction of parties that remain trapped in the past,' he warned. Daou stressed that the battle is not limited to the electoral law. 'The issues of exclusive state control over weapons, full political participation, and judicial independence are core to the Lebanon we want to build,' he said. 'These are essential fights for entering a new phase in Lebanon's future.'
LBCI
12-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Gebran Bassil: Figures reflect our presence across all northern districts
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leader MP Gebran Bassil emphasized his party's widespread presence and grassroots support during a press conference addressing the municipal elections in North Lebanon and Akkar. "We did not impose choices on people or families. We abided by their preferences, respected them, and supported them in their decisions. That's why we endorsed and voted for lists that included FPM members, supporters, or sympathizers," he said. Bassil said the FPM's presence on numerous electoral lists and their victories "reflect the strength of our representation in these areas and our ability to connect, engage, and succeed." He stressed that the election results demonstrate the party's reach across all districts of the North. Bassil also noted that the FPM adopted a cooperative approach throughout the electoral process. "We excluded no one and maintained openness and collaboration with all parties. This led to several consensus lists and uncontested victories, especially in Mount Lebanon, North Lebanon, and Akkar, in which we played a central role," he said. Citing the example of Jounieh, Bassil said it was a stark instance of what he called an "exclusionary mentality." "In Batroun, we faced a tripartite coalition of the Lebanese Forces, Kataeb, and former MP Boutros Harb. They entered strongholds that were historically tough for them, such as the city of Batroun, and we accepted their presence despite having a significant advantage," he added. "In contrast, they excluded us in Tannourine, and we ran independently with the youth of Tannourine, winning nearly a third of the vote." Bassil also pointed to Bcharre as another example of exclusion, saying the FPM list garnered 46% of the vote despite the "elimination of any differing voice."
L'Orient-Le Jour
05-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Aoun welcomes country's 'recovery,' Geagea evokes "'significant changes' after first round of municipal elections
Reacting to the municipal elections, the first round of which was launched on Sunday in the Mount Lebanon Governorate, President Joseph Aoun congratulated the winners, reminding them that taking responsibility begins "after the elections." In a brief statement, President Aoun, who oversaw the launch of the polls on Sunday morning from several administrations, welcomed the fact that "Lebanon is moving resolutely forward on the path to recovery, despite the crises and challenges it has faced." "Taking responsibility begins after the elections," he added, calling on the new municipal councilors and mokhtars to "serve citizens and respond to their needs," which "constitutes the fundamental objective" of their mandate. Samir Geagea, leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF), also welcomed the initial results of Mount Lebanon's municipal elections, saying they show growing support for the LF and the Kataeb Party as the month-long voting process begins. In a statement, Geagea stated that this "significant change" achieved in the new municipal councils," especially in the major cities, clearly indicates that citizens, regardless of political affiliation, are no longer satisfied with corruption or mismanagement at all levels." Geagea stressed that these results are "hopeful and confirm that Lebanon has entered a new phase," stating that the elections in other regions will not be less promising." The municipal elections will be held on Sunday 11th in North Lebanon, the 18th in the Bekaa and Beirut. On Saturday 24th (since Sunday the 25th is a holiday) voting will be held in the South, where entire villages have been devastated by the last war between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, and where a fragile cease-fire was declared last November 27. The elections in Mount Lebanon confirmed that the LF and the Kataeb are asserting themselves as the main political force on the Christian scene. Likely due to the increased popularity of Geagea's party, in a context of heightened political polarization around Hezbollah's arms., as well as the alliances concluded by this formation with various local actors. Most of the time, the LF were in coalition with the Kataeb, in addition to alliances with notable families and local political clans. By late Sunday evening, the LF-Kataeb alliance had notably claimed the entire municipal council of Jounieh and Jbeil, the two major Christian cities on the coast of Mount Lebanon. In the Metn district, the lists supported by the two parties were able to win the municipalities of Dbayeh and Jdeideh-Bauchrieh-Sed al-Bauchrieh (one of the largest in the region), still according to the initial results.
