Kataeb: No return to war, no tax hikes without reforms
The Political Bureau of the Lebanese Kataeb Party held its weekly meeting, chaired by Party Leader Samy Gemayel, to discuss the latest political developments. Following deliberations, it issued the following statement:
1. The Political Bureau warns Hezbollah against once again dragging Lebanon into a cycle of escalation and war, particularly in light of the threats issued by its Secretary-General ahead of the expiration of the 60-day deadline for the United States and Iran to reach a comprehensive agreement to end their conflict, as well as ongoing attempts to obstruct the State-led effort to shield Lebanon from the repercussions of the wars into which it has been dragged.
The warning comes as Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has acknowledged that he remains in direct contact with fighters on the front lines in Lebanon, providing further proof of the extent of Iranian interference in Lebanese affairs and confirming that Iran continues to treat Lebanon as a sphere of influence.
The Political Bureau stresses that Lebanon cannot afford to return to war whose human, security, economic, and social costs are borne by the Lebanese people alone.
2. The Political Bureau calls on the executive authority to fully assume its responsibilities and take all necessary measures to implement its decisions ensuring that all weapons are placed exclusively under State control. This is the only path to protecting Lebanon and its sovereignty and preventing any party from dragging the country into a confrontation over which the State has no say.
The Political Bureau stresses that, by keeping its weapons outside State authority and threatening to reopen war fronts, Hezbollah is inviting renewed occupation, deepening the suffering of the Lebanese people, and contributing further to displacement and destruction.
3. The Political Bureau rejects any new tax increases or other measures that would place additional burdens on citizens before the necessary structural reforms are carried out. These reforms must begin with reforming State institutions, ending waste and tax evasion, tackling the illicit economy, and addressing the structural weaknesses in Lebanon’s public finances.
The Lebanese people should not be asked to shoulder additional burdens while essential reforms remain stalled.
4. The Political Bureau welcomes the abolition of the death penalty, considering it as an important legislative step that is consistent with the protection of the right to life and the continued advancement of human rights.
At the same time, the Political Bureau reiterates the Kataeb Party’s opposition to the amnesty law in its current form. It stresses that grievances and injustices must be addressed without allowing amnesty to become a means of granting impunity or expanding its scope at the expense of justice and the rule of law.
