Gemayel: Hezbollah Will Not be Able to Impose a President on the Lebanese

Kataeb Party President MP Sami Gemayel (Kataeb.org)
Kataeb Party President MP Sami Gemayel (Kataeb.org)
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Gemayel: Hezbollah Will Not be Able to Impose a President on the Lebanese

Kataeb Party President MP Sami Gemayel (Kataeb.org)
Kataeb Party President MP Sami Gemayel (Kataeb.org)

The head of the Lebanese Kataeb party, MP Sami Gemayel, announced turning the page on a disagreement between him and the political aide to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, MP Ali Hassan Khalil, declaring his acceptance of the apology after a verbal dispute between the two earlier this week.

On the other hand, he pointed to a “provocative” rhetoric, stressing that no party could impose its will on the Lebanese people and warning that such matters could lead to tension.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Gemayel voiced his rejection of a president imposed by Hezbollah, saying: “Such a president would be the president of Hezbollah’s republic and not that of all the Lebanese.”

His remarks came in the wake of a verbal dispute between him and Khalil, which involved accusations and sectarian expressions. The latter apologized on the same evening from the head of the Kataeb party, who also received a call from Berri.

Gemayel went on to denounce the “provocative behavior and attempts to establish superiority over others, amid an unprecedented economic crisis.”

He noted that Lebanon was “on the brink of collapse, and the people of all sects and regions were in a state of anger and despair,” warning that “sectarian tension and a sense of injustice and oppression” can drag Lebanon into the unknown.

“There is only one road map that can save Lebanon, which is electing a president who is able to launch a rescue plan,” Gemayel told the news conference.

Lebanon has been without a president since the term of former president Michel Aoun ended on October 31.

Touching on Hezbollah’s weapons, the Kataeb party leader said: “The problem of weapons must be put on the table for discussion, and the upcoming President of the Republic is required to have the ability to negotiate in order to restore sovereignty and solve the problem… We don’t want to use the term defensive strategy, as the issue pertains to equality and law.”



UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
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UN Calls for Independent Probe into Civilians Harmed Trying to Get Food in Gaza

 Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)
Palestinians carry bags filled with food and humanitarian aid provided by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US-backed organization approved by Israel, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP)

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres on Tuesday slammed as "unacceptable" the deaths of Palestinians seeking food aid in Gaza, a spokesman said, calling the loss of life in the territory "unthinkable".

"The Secretary-General continues to call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for the perpetrators to be held to account," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

"We are witnessing unthinkable loss of life in Gaza (and) the secretary-general condemns the loss of lives and injuries of Palestinians seeking aid," he said. "It is unacceptable civilians are risking and in several instances losing their lives just trying to get food."

At least 27 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded by Israeli fire near a food distribution site in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, local health authorities said, in the third day of chaos and bloodshed to affect the aid operation.

A spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross told Reuters that its field hospital in Rafah received 184 casualties, adding that 19 of those were declared dead upon arrival, and eight died of their wounds shortly after.

The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation launched its first distribution sites last week in an effort to alleviate widespread hunger amongst Gaza's war-battered population, most of whom have had to abandon their homes to flee fighting.

The Foundation's aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the United Nations and established charities which say it does not follow humanitarian principles.

The private group, which is endorsed by Israel, said it distributed 21 truckloads of food early on Tuesday and that the aid operation was "conducted safely and without incident within the site".

However, there have been reports of repeated killings near Rafah as crowds gather to get desperately needed supplies.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials reported that at least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured. On Monday, three more Palestinians were reportedly killed by Israeli fire.

The Israeli military has denied targeting civilians gathering for aid and called reports of deaths during Sunday’s distribution "fabrications" by Hamas.