Samy Gemayel: Justice is Essential to Rebuilding the Lebanese State
Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel has asserted that achieving justice for the 2020 Beirut port explosion is the fundamental prerequisite for rebuilding the Lebanese state. In a recent interview, Gemayel emphasized that the persistent absence of accountability has severely undermined the country’s institutional framework, rendering state entities corrupt and resistant to reform.
Six years after the devastating blast, the investigation remains stalled, a situation Gemayel describes as a symptom of a deeper crisis in governance. He argued that the political establishment’s failure to allow for a transparent judicial process is not merely an isolated legal failure, but a deliberate effort to shield those responsible for institutional decay. According to Gemayel, without a commitment to the rule of law and the removal of the current political impunity, any attempts at structural or economic reform will prove futile.
Beyond the immediate issue of the port explosion, Gemayel offered an overview of his vision for the future of Lebanon, stressing the need for a sovereign state capable of exerting full control over its territory and foreign policy. He addressed the complexities of Lebanon’s geopolitical landscape, particularly the influence of external actors. He maintained that regional powers—specifically Iran and Syria—have historically exercised a destabilizing influence on Lebanon’s internal affairs, which has exacerbated the country’s isolation from its traditional Arab allies.
Regarding the relationship with Israel, Gemayel reiterated that the primary concern remains the restoration of national sovereignty and the neutral position of Lebanon in regional conflicts. He highlighted the urgent need to distance the country from regional proxy wars that have hollowed out the state’s capabilities and crippled its economic potential.
Finally, Gemayel acknowledged the vital role of Gulf states in supporting Lebanon. He suggested that while international and regional support is essential for humanitarian relief and economic stabilization, such aid can only be effective if it is met with credible, systemic reforms within the Lebanese government. He warned that the international community is increasingly hesitant to invest in a state that fails to hold its leaders accountable or protect the rights of its citizens. The path forward, he concluded, must begin with an uncompromising demand for justice, which serves as the only legitimate pathway to restoring the credibility of the Lebanese state.
