Gemayel calls on state to issue warning and deploy army to prevent Lebanon being drawn into war, An-Nahar reports

Kataeb Party leader and MP Sami Gemayel called on the state to issue a warning, accompanied by executive mechanisms, stating that the Lebanese army will confront any attempt to draw Lebanon into war. An-Nahar reported these remarks from his conversation with journalists. The newspaper published these positions on 3 November 2026.

Gemayel believes the region is heading either toward a major military confrontation or toward a settlement. The report did not specify when the possible war would take place or who its parties would be.

On the measures required from the state, An-Nahar quoted Gemayel as saying: "What is needed from the state is to issue a warning 'with teeth', accompanied by executive instructions calling on the army to deploy in all Lebanese regions to detain any individual or party that could drag Lebanon into the adventure of joining a new war."

Gemayel said that in the event of a military confrontation, there is no need to address Hezbollah, because the decision is not in its hands. He described the party as an Iranian tool in Lebanon, a political characterisation issued by him.

He added that the Shiite public, the Shiite opposition and the Amal Movement can be addressed, because they do not take orders from the Revolutionary Guards. He asked them to take clear and decisive positions against Hezbollah and to rise up against the reality it imposes.

In Gemayel's view, it is unacceptable to wait for guarantees from Hezbollah that it will not join the war. He considered that the state and Lebanon face an existential threat.

Gemayel also called on President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to take precautionary measures to prevent war. He asked them to begin intensive meetings to prepare for the worst-case scenarios and to address any possible displacement if war returns. It is not yet known whether the presidency or the government will respond to these calls.

On the arms file, Gemayel stressed that there is no dialogue on this issue under any heading, including the defence strategy. He said that after the weapons are handed over, the Lebanese must meet with each other.