Gemayel: We're ready to sit with Hezbollah and discuss all matters

Kataeb Party chief Sami Gemayel has accused Hezbollah of seeking to “legalize its weapons through a certain alignment and a loyal president.”

“It will seeking to silence the dissident voices, but nevertheless we are ready to sit with Hezbollah around a table and discuss all matters, within the institutions, if Hezbollah takes a decision to be under the authority of the constitution and the state and to accept equality,” Gemayel added, in an interview on LBCI.

Noting that “federalism, decentralization and improving the system are not solutions to deal with those imposing and hijacking the country’s decisions,” Gemayel pointed out that “there is a problem called Hezbollah’s arms and sovereignty and another problem which is managing diversity and governance.”

“The two problems are separate,” he added.

As for the stalled presidential election, Gemayel said: “When we end the attempt to impose a candidate, a president will be elected within 48 hours, and at the moment Hezbollah accepts to meet us halfway we will accept dialogue, but it must present a goodwill gesture regarding a third candidate.”