The writer of this letter is Nadim Bachir Gemayel. He is a Lebanese politician and member of the Lebanese parliament since 2018. He is a member of the Kataeb party that was founded by his grandfather Pierre Gemayel and is the son of the assassinated president-elect Bachir Gemayel 

"Mr. President

As France prepares to host the "International Conference in Support of the Population and Sovereignty of Lebanon" in Paris, I am making this urgent appeal to you. It is imperative that this meeting does not result in a return to the status quo, which has plunged Lebanon into decades of instability, division, inaction and the gradual disintegration of the state.

Over the past forty years, Lebanon has lost its sovereignty, becoming a sham of a state, where strategic and existential decisions have been dictated beyond our borders — first by Yasser Arafat, then by the Assads in Syria, and more recently by the mullahs in Iran. These choices, made in the interest of foreign powers, have never taken into account the well-being of the Lebanese people. In the eyes of the international community, this puppet state appeared to be a legitimate interlocutor, when in reality it had no real power.

For four decades, the Lebanese state and a large part of its people have been reduced to the role of hostages, even human shields. It is time to put an end to this situation in order to guarantee peace in the region and within Lebanon.

Mr. President, the tragedy that Lebanon is going through is a unique opportunity to change the course of our history and to definitively break with the stranglehold that prevailed until October 6, 2023, when Hezbollah was still imposing its law by force and terror. Today, Lebanon is at a crossroads: the war between Hezbollah and Israel, exacerbated by the regional crises in Israel/Palestine and Syria, seriously threatens its stability. Only courageous and decisive measures will make it possible to establish lasting peace there.

I therefore invite you, on the occasion of the "Conference for Lebanon" to be held in Paris, to examine the following proposals, which are essential to pave the way for a definitive way out of the crisis, within the framework of the efforts of France and the international community:

Demand the disarmament of Hizbullah and all armed factions – Palestinian and others – still active in Lebanon, in accordance with UN Resolution 1559 and the 1989 Taif Agreement, handing over to the Lebanese state all illegal and militia weapons.

Impose a clear dissociation between Lebanon and all regional situations (Gaza, Iraq, Yemen and Iran) by ending Hezbollah's military support, mainly from Iran.

Strengthen the authority and capacity of the state, the Lebanese army, as well as those of the judicial institutions and security forces.

Demand an end to all Hezbollah's military and security activities, both regional and international, including in Yemen, Syria, Israel/Palestine, Iraq and the Gulf countries.

Facilitate the conclusion of agreements with the three key parties to the conflict in Lebanon to end any regional interference in Lebanon, remove any pretext for future war, and establish a final and lasting peace:

Together with Israel, France and its allies must demand Israel's total withdrawal from Lebanese territory and its commitment to respect Lebanon's sovereignty, in accordance with the 1949 Armistice Agreement, which must remain the relevant legal framework pending a process towards a just, equitable and lasting peace.

Together with Iran, France and its allies must demand respect for Lebanese sovereignty and refuse any negotiations on Lebanon with Iran or any other third state. Iran must also stop interfering in Lebanon's internal affairs, including through armed groups, such as Hezbollah.

Together with Syria, France and its allies must demand the demarcation of all borders between Lebanon and Syria and an end to the dispute over the Shebaa Farms and the Kfarchouba Hills, which has been used as a pretext for the maintenance of Hezbollah's weapons since the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon in 2000.

Mr President, Lebanon must finally be able to elect a President who embodies this new era of freedom, sovereignty, independence, reform and modernisation, who is able to defend the country's exclusive interests.

The mission of a new president of the Republic, supported by the international community, will be to rebuild a sovereign Lebanese state, and to replace Hezbollah's political and security stranglehold on the country. The State must be the sole holder of sovereign powers and the monopoly of the armed force. The new president will also have to engage in a dialogue without preconditions, addressing with honesty and courage all the issues that have been pending for decades.

It is crucial to begin preparations now for a comprehensive and regional rescue plan, supported by the international community and the Arab countries, similar to the "Marshall Plan" for Lebanon. This plan should include a roadmap for the return of refugees and displaced persons, the reconstruction of all destroyed areas, the development and modernization of the country, in order to avoid at all costs a return to the situation before October 6, 2023, which would undoubtedly lead to a return to violence.

We refuse to repeat the mistakes of the past. That is why we aspire to true equality, sustainable balance and genuine cooperation among all Lebanese communities, so that they can live together, once and for all, in peace, freedom and harmony. This will only be possible when the Lebanese State regains its full sovereignty and becomes the sole holder of legitimate violence.

Mr. President, Lebanon is counting on your leadership, a concrete leadership and not a façade of leadership, to ensure that this conference is not a mere repetition of the mistakes of the past.

It is high time to imagine a new future for a reconciled Lebanon, a path that will lead to a lasting and just peace and shared prosperity."

By Nadim Bachir Gemayel. Member of Parliament (Beirut).

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