Differences Between Lebanese MPs at Kataeb Party Congress

File Photo. Meeting of the Kataeb politburo (NNA)
File Photo. Meeting of the Kataeb politburo (NNA)
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Differences Between Lebanese MPs at Kataeb Party Congress

File Photo. Meeting of the Kataeb politburo (NNA)
File Photo. Meeting of the Kataeb politburo (NNA)

A fiery statement made by deputy Nadim Gemayel during the 31st Kataeb Congress this weekend unveiled immense divisions within the party and disputes with its leader MP Sami Gemayel, who was reelected for a second mandate in an uncontested vote.

On the third day of the party’s Congress 16 new members, out of 29 candidates, were elected for Kataeb’s politburo.

But on Saturday night, MP Nadim Gemayel lashed out at the party’s recent performance, saying Kataeb was more concerned with preserving the environment than confronting Iran’s influence in Lebanon and Hezbollah’s arms.

The deputy also hinted into possible corruption within the party, wondering about some of its expenditures and calling on the election of the party’s head by all Kataeb members.

His comments raised several questions on possible divisions among party members.

The Kataeb won only three seats in last May’s parliamentary elections, the first such low outcome since 2005. The party is also not represented in the new cabinet.

However, party members downplayed alleged disputes, describing them as part of the democratic process.

Kataeb deputy leader Salim al-Sayegh said: “Maybe we haven’t gotten used to such congresses.”

During the three-day Congress, “there were more fiery speeches than the one delivered by MP Nadim Gemayel,” he added.



Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Possible this Week or Next

US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
TT
20

Trump Says Gaza Ceasefire Possible this Week or Next

US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
US President Donald Trump listens to opening remarks, on the day he hosts a lunch for African representatives of Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., US, July 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

US President Donald Trump said there is a "very good chance" of a ceasefire in Gaza this week or next, after meeting Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday for the second time in two days to discuss the situation.

"We have a chance this week or next week," Trump told reporters.

Israel's military chief said on Wednesday "conditions have been created" for the advancement of a hostage release deal in Gaza, as indirect negotiations were under way between Israel and Hamas.

"We have achieved many significant results, we have caused great damage to the governance and military capabilities of Hamas," armed forces chief Eyal Zamir said in a televised speech.

"Thanks to the operational power that we have demonstrated, the conditions have been created to advance a deal to release the hostages."

Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his meeting with Trump focused on freeing the hostages held in Gaza, and stressed his determination to "eliminate" the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas.