The National Bloc: The Time for Decisive Action Is Now

The ceasefire is, in itself, a welcome development, as it brings an end to the cycle of killing, destruction, and displacement inflicted by Israel upon Lebanese citizens and their livelihoods, while also putting a stop to the reckless adventurism of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ party in Lebanon and its disregard for the national interest.

Now that this war has finally come to an end, it stands as undeniable proof that Hezbollah has shown little hesitation in sacrificing land, lives, and the country’s very foundations, bringing about devastation on a national scale. Moreover, its eventual acceptance of a ceasefire came only in deference to Iranian interests and decisions, despite the continuation and expansion of the Israeli occupation. This alone definitively strips away the “resistance” narrative behind which it has long sought refuge.

In order to prevent further human, economic, and social catastrophes resulting from Israeli-Iranian confrontations fought on Lebanese soil;

In order to protect Lebanese citizens, particularly those in the South, both from Israeli aggression and from being used as human shields in a war that serves none of their interests;

In order to spare Lebanon from continued Israeli occupation, close the door to further foreign interference, and avert the prospect of future Turkish or Syrian involvement;

In order to prevent any domestic or foreign actor from monopolizing the authority to negotiate on behalf of Lebanon;

And in order to preserve the unity of the land, the people, and the state, as well as safeguard social stability;

The National Bloc calls upon the executive authority, the President and the Government, to demonstrate, before it is too late, its seriousness both domestically and internationally, and to assume its sovereign responsibilities by putting a definitive end to the deadly state of security paralysis that prevailed during the fifteen-month truce separating the two support wars, a paralysis that contributed, whether intentionally or otherwise, to the disastrous situation Lebanon faces today.

The National Bloc further calls on the authorities to move beyond declarations and into implementation, and to exercise full sovereignty over Lebanese territory and institutions in deeds rather than words, through the following measures:

1. Issuing clear and binding instructions to the security and judicial authorities to enforce the rule of law equally and without exception, and to dismantle all militias, foremost among them Hezbollah, using all lawful means available, given the direct threat they pose to national security and the supreme national interest.

2. Reaffirming the option of direct negotiations, conducted exclusively under the leadership of the executive authority, with the aim of liberating Lebanese territory from Israeli occupation, following the failure of the Iranian approach to achieve that objective. The Government should promptly advance an international initiative based on the principle of “Land for Peace,” providing for Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon and an end to its attacks in exchange for a durable peace agreement that guarantees the sovereignty of the Lebanese state.

3. Initiating the preparation of a comprehensive urban, financial, and social framework for the post-settlement phase, with the objective of restoring life to the South through reconstruction efforts and the return of displaced residents.

The critical circumstances facing Lebanon and the wider region leave no room for further hesitation, delay, or the squandering of opportunities. They demand swift decision-making, as well as greater courage and initiative, lest we repeat, God forbid, the mistakes of 1969, 1973, 1975, 1983, and the tragedies that followed, the consequences of which we continue to bear to this day.