Kataeb call for 'state of emergency' in South Lebanon

The Kataeb party warned on Wednesday against "escalation between Israel and Hezbollah in South Lebanon, which threatens to push the Middle East to the brink of an explosion that could annihilate the few remaining institutions," and called for a state of emergency to be declared in this region of the country.

"Based on this principle, we call for declaring a state of emergency in South Lebanon, and urge the government to awaken from its lethargy and take the initiative by implementing international resolutions, deploying the army to the border, and providing necessary equipment," added the party in a statement following its weekly meeting chaired by MP Samy Gemayel.

The Kataeb are among the prominent opponents of Hezbollah and the war it launched from Lebanon against Israel on Oct. 8, 2023. Alongside other opposition groups, they have presented a four-point roadmap for resolving the crisis in South Lebanon, including urging the government to deploy the army and prevent "any unofficial military operation from Lebanese territory." The caretaker Lebanese government has chosen not to oppose military operations carried out by Hezbollah.

Hezbollah and the "proxy war" in Lebanon

"Lebanese political authorities, by yielding to Hezbollah, deprive the state and the Lebanese people of their right to save their country, decide their fate, and leverage international interest to avoid a broader war with Israel, which remains favored by major powers," the statement continues.

The Kataeb party also accused the political and military faction led by Hezbollah of prolonging the presidential vacancy in Lebanon, ongoing since October 2022.

"After efforts by the Kataeb party to facilitate the election of a head of state and revitalize institutions, and following the roadmap proposed by the opposition to break the deadlock, it is now clear that the ones who have positioned themselves as the guardian of the Republic do not want a president who cares about Lebanon's interests, they are involved in a multidimensional proxy war aligned with Iran's interests," the statement emphasized, referring to Hezbollah.