Jumblat Calls against Victimizing Arsal: Some Petty MPs Employing Clash for Political Gain

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat accused some “outsiders” of seeking to tarnish Arsal's image, demanding that all sides support the army and refrain from victimizing the Bekaa town.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “Some small MPs and sons of MPs are exploiting the confusion within the Mustaqbal Movement in order to achieve governmental gain.”

He condemned “these petty voices that have also plunged Lebanon into futile wars in the past.”

“Those besieging Arsal have forgotten the exceptional sacrifices presented by the army during the Nahr al-Bared battle and other efforts to avert strife in Lebanon,” he added.

“They have also forgotten former Premier Saad Hariri's important message during which he demanded that all sides demonstrate solidarity with the army,” continued Jumblat.

“We cannot but view Arsal from its national, Arab, and historic role,” he added.

“We cannot accept that it be portrayed as a besieged town by the army as Arsal does not deserve to be besieged and the army should not take up such a role,” he stressed.

“Those besieging the town are seeking to tarnish the town's role throughout history,” the PSP leader remarked.

“We must all, without exception, back the army and keep it away from petty political disputes. We are better off refraining from criticizing the army and stop portraying it as being biased to one Lebanese faction against the other,” he demanded.

Clashes broke out on February 1 in the town of Arsal as the army sought to arrest a wanted suspect.

Two officers and the suspect were killed in the unrest.

The army has since upped its security measures around the town in an effort to arrest the assailants.

Moreover, Jumblat wondered: “Why are some sides seeking to spread the Syrian crisis to Lebanon at any cost?”

“Doesn't Lebanon have enough political, economic, and social problems?” he asked.

On this note, Jumblat hoped that Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi's visit to Damascus over the weekend would not be subject to political debates.

“His visit helped breathe some hope for Christians in Syria and it helped emphasize the need to protect diversity in the region. This same diversity has been overpowered by the sound of fighter jets, bullets, and religious fatwas made at the expense of alleged coexistence,” he noted.

Al-Rahi traveled to Damascus on Saturday where he took part on Sunday in the enthronement of Greek Orthodox leader Youhanna X Yazigi at the Church of the Holy Cross in Qassaa.

In addition, Jumblat questioned the criticism directed against President Michel Suleiman.

“The president has taken modern and brave positions throughout his tenure, especially over dialogue, which he has said is he only way to tackle disputes among the Lebanese powers,” said the PSP leader.

“The president has repeatedly refused to hand over Syrians wanted by Syrian authorities, which is tantamount to handing them over to their death,” he added.

“The president was elected through rare Lebanese, Arab, and international consensus and all political powers are obligated to help produce the necessary circumstances that would help him perform his national duties,” stressed Jumblat.