Latest news with #Gemayel
Ya Libnan
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
‘Lebanon is a hostage of Hezbollah arms which are preventing reconstruction:' Gemayel
Gemayel described Hezbollah's clinging to its arsenal as a crime against the nation , stressing that ' its weapons pose an existential threat, as they prevent aid, reconstruction, ending tensions in the south, demarcating borders, and ending the state of war. The head of the Lebanese Kataeb Party, MP Sami Gemayel, said that 'as long as Hezbollah insists on preserving and attempting to restore its military arsenal, Lebanon will not find relief from Israeli strikes, not even economically, because all issues are now linked to this reality.' Gemayel added: 'I do not understand where Hezbollah, which is harming Lebanon and itself, wants to go. We are facing a new tragedy, as it is impossible for its weapons to continue as they are.' He believes that 'the country is heading towards further crises with the party's clinging to its weapons,' describing this clinging to them as a 'crime against the nation.' He emphasized that 'weapons pose an existential threat, as they prevent aid, reconstruction, ending tensions in the south, demarcating borders, and ending the state of war. They also stand in the way of equality and the establishment of the state.' He asserted that 'the time has come to turn a new page and adhere to the ceasefire agreement.' He considered that 'the party's weapons are no longer a source of strength, but rather a pretext for Israel to attack Lebanon.' He emphasized that 'the debate about its role in protecting Lebanon has ended,' adding, 'I am careful not to insult or accuse anyone of treason, and I extend my hand to the party's supporters to tell them that we are closer to them than its leaders, and that what we are proposing constitutes a guaranteeing and protective alternative.' He explained that 'reconciliation and frankness are conditional upon the surrender of weapons,' noting that 'MPs from Amal and Hezbollah welcomed his position, and that both Hassan Fadlallah and Nabih Berri described his words as constructive and worthy of further development.' He emphasized that 'there is no possibility of any reconciliation in the presence of an armed group,' and called for 'the development of a roadmap for the gradual surrender of weapons.' He emphasized that 'the starting point is the party's approval of this path.' He said, 'If the will is present, the President of the Republic will find the appropriate mechanism.' He believed that 'the President of the Republic is trying to restore state sovereignty in a positive manner and will move, based on the facts, to a different approach if his approach fails and is not met with a response.' He asserted that there will be no reconstruction or progress because Hezbollah is determined to remain within the logic of maintaining weapons that have not protected Lebanon.' He pointed out that 'Hezbollah has not been controlling UNIFIL from the beginning, and the moment the party makes the decision to disarm, we will no longer need UNIFIL or any other protection.' He emphasized that 'the decision to confiscate weapons is final, and our position has been one of extreme sovereignty and independence from 1936 to the present day, unrelated to anything else.' He added, 'Let's avoid problems and move towards something positive.' He considered that 'the government is starting from scratch, and it is not ideal, as there are those accustomed to the old regime, and there are obstructions to the reform process, and a political, financial, and economic lobby is preventing reforms that are not in its favor.' He noted that 'the government is doing everything possible to advance the issues, and there is no doubt that the issue of weapons is preventing funds.' Regarding Syrian refugees in Lebanon, he explained that 'they are no longer refugees, but rather illegal economic migrants,' calling on the state to deport any illegal refugees. El Nashra
Sharjah 24
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Children weave imagination and identity at SCRF 2025
Gemayel, the creative force behind Nomad Workshops, has tailored string art for a younger audience. 'Traditional string art uses real wood, nails, and hammers, which isn't ideal for kids,' he says. 'For this workshop, I've adapted it with foam boards, coloured pins, and mini wooden hammers to make it safe and fun.' The workshop, a hit with children from various schools, begins with a foam board shaped like the UAE map. Each child is given anchor points marked with boundary dots, ready to fill with pins in their choice of colours. Many chose the red, green, white, and black of the UAE flag, while others opted for more vibrant colours. 'It's about their imagination and how they want to create,' says Gemayel. 'No two pieces are ever the same.' Twelve-year-old Aseel embraced a colourful design, while her friend Zainab opted for the UAE flag colours. 'I like it colourful,' said Aseel as she carefully cut and tied threads. 'I'm using different threads to make it pretty.' Gemayel explains, 'Children decide whether to use one thread or more—it's all about their individual style.' The workshop fosters creativity, while also creating a personal connection to a national symbol. The final step of the craft involves using a wooden hammer to tap down the pins, adding the finishing touch to each piece. 'String art isn't complete without a hammer,' says Gemayel. 'Each child has the chance to complete their artwork and feel a sense of pride in their creation.' Open to children aged eight and above, Threads of Unity is just one of the four workshops Gemayel is leading at SCRF. In the festival's Comic Store section, kids can also create superhero emblems like Superman and Batman using the same innovative, child-friendly string art technique. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority, the 12-day festival is free to attend and runs until May 4. For more information, visit
Sharjah 24
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Children discover art of scent-making at SCRF
The Aroma Journey is part of a vibrant choice of workshops at the 16th edition of SCRF, each designed to nurture young minds beyond the written word. Here, storytelling unfolds not just on the page, but through all the senses. Led by Serge Gemayel — string artist, educator, and creative force behind Nomad Workshops — children are invited to journey through the scents and stories of everyday ingredients. 'Every ingredient has a distinct taste and smell associated with it,' Gemayel explains, as children inspect different spices on the table. Little hands are encouraged to touch and crush spices such as cinnamon, black peppercorns, cardamom, and cloves, unlocking the intense aromas hidden within seeds and spices that most only encounter in their meals. The session isn't merely an olfactory adventure. It's an exploration of emotion: how scent can comfort, energise, or calm. 'Chocolate gives a cosy, happy feeling. Honey is warmth — like a hug from grandma. Lavender soothes you to sleep, mango is pure joy, and orange brings a bouncy brightness,' Gemayel tells the children, who nod in agreement, noses wrinkling in delight. 'I love the Cherry Blossom fragrance. I came to this workshop to learn how to make perfumes — I'll try it at home!' says 12-year-old Noor Elsayed, diligently crushing cinnamon sticks into a fine, fragrant powder. Around her, the air is thick with the scent of cinnamon, swiftly becoming the day's most popular note. Sixteen-year-old Nafesa Farhaana, assisting at the table, prefers cardamom: 'It makes me happy,' she smiles, a sentiment echoed by many as they mix and match their signature blends. The lesson continues with a dash of science and a touch of creativity: 'Essential oils aren't just for perfumes—they're in soaps and candles, too,' Gemayel says, as the children select their favourite combinations and, with evident pride, decant their personalised perfumes into small glass bottles. By the workshop's close, each child emerges a perfumer, clutching a bottle of their own creation—part keepsake, part memory, and wholly theirs. The proud show-and-tell that follows is a festival tradition, the joy unmistakable in every wide-eyed grin. The Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, now in its 16th year at Expo Centre Sharjah, has always championed a holistic approach to childhood development. This year's line-up — free to attend and running until 4 May—offers a rich mix of workshops, performances, and interactive sessions, each crafted to spark curiosity, creativity, and self-expression across the arts and sciences. For more information, visit
LBCI
27-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
MP Samy Gemayel says decentralization is a historic opportunity for real reform in Lebanon
Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel urged Parliament to assume its responsibilities and pass the long-awaited decentralization law, describing it as a historic opportunity for real reform in Lebanon. He argued that adopting the law would shift political competition away from sectarian struggles over central power and toward development-focused competition within each region to improve people's lives. Speaking at the opening of the third "Renewal for the Nation" participatory conference titled "Decentralization: The Time Has Come," Gemayel highlighted that the parliamentary subcommittee had held 76 working sessions and approved the majority of the law's articles with the consensus of various political groups. He stressed that what remains is purely a matter of political will. Gemayel explained that true decentralization requires the creation of elected local councils with administrative and financial independence. He recalled that the Kataeb Party had proposed a draft municipal law in 2010, which was later followed by the preparation of a decentralization bill in collaboration with a committee formed by then-President Michel Sleiman. He pointed out that the current form of municipal decentralization is insufficient to achieve balanced regional development. Gemayel emphasized the need to distribute tax revenues in a way that supports less developed areas, ensuring enhanced growth across all Lebanese regions.
National News
27-04-2025
- Politics
- National News
MP Samy Gemayel says decentralization is a historic opportunity for real reform in Lebanon
NNA - Kataeb Party leader MP Samy Gemayel urged Parliament to assume its responsibilities and pass the long-awaited decentralization law, describing it as a historic opportunity for real reform in Lebanon. He argued that adopting the law would shift political competition away from sectarian struggles over central power and toward development-focused competition within each region to improve people's lives. Speaking at the opening of the third "Renewal for the Nation" participatory conference titled "Decentralization: The Time Has Come," Gemayel highlighted that the parliamentary subcommittee had held 76 working sessions and approved the majority of the law's articles with the consensus of various political groups. He stressed that what remains is purely a matter of political will. Gemayel explained that true decentralization requires the creation of elected local councils with administrative and financial independence. He recalled that the Kataeb Party had proposed a draft municipal law in 2010, which was later followed by the preparation of a decentralization bill in collaboration with a committee formed by then-President Michel Sleiman. He pointed out that the current form of municipal decentralization is insufficient to achieve balanced regional development. Gemayel emphasized the need to distribute tax revenues in a way that supports less developed areas, ensuring enhanced growth across all Lebanese regions. --- LBC English ================
