Jumblat sees 'open war' between Iran and Israel in Lebanon
Druze leader and former Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat does not conceal his pessimism as to the ongoing Israeli war on Lebanon, saying he does not see a glimpse of hope regarding an imminent end to the "open war between Iran and Israel in Lebanon."
"Who said that war will stop, other than some rumors that we hear from here and there regarding the presence of negotiations. I have not heard anything serious in this regard and I don't have information that the war will end soon," Jumblat added, in an interview with al-Akhbar newspaper.
"We don't know who to talk to (in Hezbollah) and I see that the war became open after (Hezbollah chief) Sayyed (Hassan) Nasrallah's assassination," Jumblat added.
"In my opinion, it's better to talk to the Islamic Republic (of Iran). And by the way, an official from the Islamic Republic of Iran requested to meet me around three weeks ago but I refused," Jumblat said.
Asked why he rejected the meeting, the Druze leader said: "I'm not ready for that as long as the Islamic Republic considers Lebanon to be an open arena for proxy conflicts or wars with the U.S. and Israel. Enough with proxy wars -- from the days of the Palestinians to the days of the Syrian regime."
As for Lebanon's "options" other than "resistance" in the face of Israel's "ambitions," Jumblat said: "There is the least level of respect for the Lebanese will. There are Lebanese, who perhaps represent half of Lebanon, who are in favor of consolidating U.N. resolutions in the south and deploying the army there, and who are against using Lebanon anew as an open conflict arena."
Asked about Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea's remarks that a president can be elected without the presence of the Shiite MPs in parliament, Jumblat said: "I oppose him in this and I'm willing to talk to him and even meet him."
"This is a major political topic that has to do with the National Pact, not with numbers," Jumblat warned.
"No one can eliminate the role of any sect or component," he added.
Source: Naharnet
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