Jumblatt Initiative: Dialogue, Relation with Hezbollah Priorities

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Jumblatt Initiative: Dialogue, Relation with Hezbollah Priorities

رئيس المخابرات الفرنسية: جنبلاط عميل للمخابرات الفرنسية

The Lebanese MP Walid Jumblatt said Monday his initiative to resolve the political crisis in the country stipulates a return to dialogue and an end to Lebanon’s involvement in the Syrian crisis.

“The initiative stipulates a commitment to national dialogue as the only means to resolve crises and the need for political parties to commit to the state as the sole authority,” Jumblatt said during a news conference at his residence in Mukhtara.

He also said that Lebanese media outlets should “stop incitement,” and play a more effective role.

During his chat with reporters, the head of the Progressive Socialist Party said there were two contentious issues obstructing political life in the country: the international tribunal and Hezbollah’s arms.

Although a supporter of the national tripartite formula of “The Army, the people, and the resistance,” as means to defend the country, Jumblatt said such a formula was ambiguous and needed revision.

“One day after we resume dialogue we should come up with a new formula because we can no longer have a formula that is unclear and confuses the role of the Army with that of the resistance,” he said.

The PSP leader called for the sole jurisdiction over arms to be in the hands of the Lebanese Army, in an implicit demand that Hezbollah hands over its weapons and abandons defending Lebanon.

Jumblatt also discussed regional players plans, claiming they are using Lebanon to achieve certain goals.

“No to [Arabs] seeking to fight Iran via Lebanon and we refuse to be just another Gaza Strip,” he said.

“We reject Iran using Lebanon as a base to gain leverage over Arabs,” in reference to Ayyoub drone that the Lebanese Resistance of Hezbollah sent over the Occupied Territories of Palestine.

“Sooner or later, we must go back to the state. Yes to the liberation of the occupied territories in appropriate ways. No to Israeli breaches... No to the use of aircraft named Ayyoub for purposes not in Lebanon’s favor,” he stated.

Jumblatt however stressed the excellent relations with Hezbollah, but said: “We disagree with the party on the approach to the Syrian crisis, which is a democratic political disagreement. I repeat to those who want to fight Iran: Let them do it outside of Lebanon."

Jumblatt’s so-called initiative to resolve the ongoing stalemate between rival groups surfaced after President Michel Sleiman’s efforts to convene all-party talks failed.