Jumblat Heads to Saudi amid March 8 Concerns
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat travelled to Saudi Arabia on Sunday, his first to the kingdom since the formation of the government and his joining of the new majority in Lebanon, reported al-Akhbar newspaper on Monday.
March 8 sources did not hide their concern with the visit “given the impact it may have on the political balance in Lebanon since the toppling of former Premier Saad Hariri’s government” in early 2011, reported al-Liwaa newspaper on Monday.
Other March 8 sources told al-Akhbar however that the visit will not impact the government situation, especially since the MP is “satisfied with his position in government and the current political balance in which he plays the major role.”
Saudi sources revealed that the Druze leader will hold talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal and other high-ranking officials.
He will not however meet with King Abdullah.
Jumblat may also meet with Hariri, who had arrived in the kingdom recently where he held talks with the Saudi monarch.
The MP’s talks will focus on local developments, such as the discussions on the parliamentary electoral law for the 2013 polls and the ongoing dispute over it.
Jumblat had voiced his opposition to the March 8 camp’s proposal to adopt proportional representation for the electoral law, saying that it aims to limit his political weight.
Some members of the March 14 camp have advocated the adoption of the amended 1960 law that was adopted during the 2009 parliamentary elections.
Jumblat’s talks in Saudi Arabia will also center on the regional situation, most notably the Syrian crisis.
The MP has been a vocal critic of the Syrian regime, voicing his support for the Syrian people’s demands for democratic change in their country.
The Druze leader is accompanied on his visit by his son Taimur and MP Nehmeh Tohme.
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