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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)
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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.

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Mikati Calls for Implementing UNSCR 1701, Deploying Lebanese Army in the South

Prime Minister Najib Mikati (The office of the Prime Minister)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati (The office of the Prime Minister)
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Mikati Calls for Implementing UNSCR 1701, Deploying Lebanese Army in the South

Prime Minister Najib Mikati (The office of the Prime Minister)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati (The office of the Prime Minister)

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati called for an immediate ceasefire and the implementation of steps that the Lebanese government has committed to under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, including the deployment of the Lebanese army south of the Litani River to coordinate fully with peacekeeping forces in the region.
Mikati's statement followed a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt.
He emphasized Lebanon’s adherence to the international call for a ceasefire, which had been endorsed by the United States, France, the European Union, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Germany, Australia, Canada, and Italy during meetings at the UN General Assembly.
While condemning the Israeli aggression, which has claimed the lives of many Lebanese citizens, the Lebanese premier stressed the importance of national unity in confronting the attacks.
He also called on the international community and organizations to meet their moral and legal obligations by quickly responding to the Lebanese government's emergency support plan, especially as Israel continues its military operations.
Alongside discussions on the ceasefire, Berri held meetings with various parliamentary blocs to address Lebanon's presidential vacuum.
MP Sajih Attieh, from the Moderation Bloc, reported that Berri reaffirmed his commitment to dissociating the issue of Gaza from Lebanon's presidential elections. Attieh pointed to a significant opportunity for consensus on a presidential candidate who can secure broad support, helping Lebanon face its ongoing challenges.
Berri presented several ideas to foster dialogue and urged all parties to engage actively in discussions to achieve a breakthrough in the presidential crisis.
In another meeting, the speaker received a delegation from the Independent Consultative Parliamentary Meeting, which included Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab and several MPs.
Bou Saab noted that discussions addressed the presidential file, revealing that Berri is now more flexible and no longer insists on holding a national dialogue as a precondition for electing a president, a significant shift from his previous stance.
Berri and his ally Hezbollah had previously insisted on dialogue as a condition for holding an election session and continued to back their preferred candidate, former minister Sleiman Franjieh. This position had been met with rejection, as many political parties called for a separation between the ceasefire process and the presidential election, urging Berri to schedule a voting session as soon as possible.