Jumblat Urges Political Powers to Avoid Linking Lebanon's Fate to Developments in Syria

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Friday that the current local and regional situations obligate Lebanese powers to rise above petty disputes and place Lebanon's interests above all else, especially in light of the bombings in Ruwais and the northern city of Tripoli.

He said in a statement: “At a time of the escalation of the situation and deep divide among the Lebanese, I call on the rival parties to avoid falling into the trap banking on the radical changes in Syria.”

“They must also end their involvement in the fighting in Syria and avoid returning to a new round of issuing accusations of treason against each other at a time when the Lebanese people have lost faith in their country,” he demanded.

Addressing the conflict in Syria and the possibility of western strike against regime targets, Jumblat remarked: “Whether the strike takes place or not, I do not believe that it will be decisive in the unrest.”

“Ending the crisis in Syria can only take place through reaching a broad international and regional understanding over a comprehensive political vision that calls for eliminating the head of the Syrian regime and its aides whose hands have been covered in the blood of innocent Syrians,” he said.

“The agreement should also maintain Syrian institutions and what is left of the government in a manner that would prevent the state's complete collapse and install new rules for a new Syria, which would be based on diversity and democracy,” added the MP.

On August 15, 27 people were killed and 336 wounded in a bombing in the Ruwais neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburb of Dahieh.

On August 23, 45 people were killed and at least 800 wounded in twin bombings that targeted the Taqwa and al-Salam mosques in Tripoli.