LEBANON MUST FREE ITSELF FROM HEZBOLLAH’S CONTROL, GEMAYEL TELLS AUSTRALIAN AMBASSADOR

Lebanese Kataeb Party leader Samy Gemayel on Wednesday met with Australian Ambassador to Lebanon, Andrew Barnes, with talks featuring high on the latest developments, particularly the growing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. During the meeting, Gemayel emphasized Lebanon's need to reclaim its role by cutting loose from the grip of Hezbollah, saying that the group is controlling the State institutions, usurping the decision-making power on war and peace, blocking the presidential election, imposing its candidate, and rejecting any third option capable of engaging in a dialogue with all parties to save Lebanon. Gemayel reiterated his refusal to be held hostage or forcibly aligned with any axis or party that could drag Lebanon into wars serving foreign agendas and regional ambitions. Lebanon, facing its worst crisis ever, cannot afford an all-out war that would destroy any hope of near-term recovery, the Kataeb chief warned. The meeting was attended by Kataeb's Political Bureau memb ers Alain Hakim and Ghassan Abou Jaoude, as well as the Head of the party's Foreign Affairs Department, Marwan Abdallah, and the Australian Ambassador's Political Adviser, Ben Craig. Source: National news agency - Lebanon