Jumblat Rejects Iran Grant, Coordination with Syria as He Refuses Terrorist Label for Nusra
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Tuesday rejected any military coordination between the Lebanese and Syrian armies and warned that the proposed Iranian grant would create “obstacles” for the country.
“It is inevitable to reach an internal settlement in order to preserve the military institution and address the repercussions of the Syrian war on Lebanon,” Jumblat said in an interview on OTV.
“It is intolerable to cooperate with the Syrian state and we cannot coordinate with a regime that is killing its people,” he added.
Commenting on Iran's recent announcement that it is willing to provide the Lebanese army with weapons, Jumblat advised against such a step.
“Arms are welcome, even if they come from China, but we actually cannot take weapons from Iran. I'm not saying I'm against the offer, but the Iranian grant would create obstacles that we are better off without,” said Jumblat.
Asked about Defense Minister Samir Moqbel's planned visit to Tehran, the PSP leader said he does not think the trip will yield any results.
Responding to a question about al-Nusra Front, al-Qaida's official Syria affiliate, Jumblat said “al-Nusra Front is consisted of Syrian citizens.”
“I reject the U.N.'s label for it and I don't label it as terrorist and we must cope with this situation in Syria,” he added.
The PSP leader warned that Syria will “turn into shreds” in the absence of a political solution, stressing that “the regime cannot continue to rule” the war-torn country.
“No component of the opposition should be excluded and even the Islamic State must be asked about its objectives in Syria,” Jumblat went on to say.
He noted that Syrian President Bashar Assad “must be eliminated from the regime and the army must be purified of criminals, or else the war will be long and the Syrian army will be depleted.”
“I believe that Saudi Arabia wants a political solution in Syria but it cannot impose it on its own and it will seek the help of Iran and Turkey,” he said.
Commenting on the recent deadly battle between the Lebanese army and jihadist groups in and around the border town of Arsal, Jumblat said “it is not for politicians nor for journalists to discuss the military incidents in Arsal, because the army defended courageously and recaptured posts.”
“I had expected such an assault,” Jumblat pointed out, referring to the August 2 attack on the town, during which 19 Lebanese troops were killed and around 35 soldiers and policemen were taken hostage.
“We must unite behind the army and equip it and obligatory conscription must be reinstated in order to introduce 10,000 to 15,000 troops,” said Jumblat.
As for Hizbullah's controversial intervention in Syria, the PSP leader noted that the party cannot withdraw from the neighboring country “without a decision from the Islamic Republic of Iran and an agreement with Saudi Arabia.”
“From the very first moment, we said we had different interpretations of the Syrian crisis but now we must immunize ourselves, end the bets and suspend the dispute in order to protect Lebanon. We cannot keep asking the party to withdraw from Syria, as neither I nor others have the ability to persuade it,” added Jumblat.
Y.R.
Source: Naharnet
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