Jumblat Says Vacuum in South Benefits Israel

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat expressed fear on Thursday that targeting the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) will cause a major vacuum in the south which will benefit Israel and endanger Lebanon.

Jumblat told As Safir newspaper that the attack on the UNIFIL is “suspicious” and it might be intended to cause vacuum in the south, which will lead to a minimized presence for these forces in the area.

“This will allow more infiltrations (through the borders) and endanger Lebanon and the south again… which will benefit Israel,” he said.

Three French U.N. peacekeepers were wounded in a roadside bombing in the southern city of Sidon on Tuesday, and another three suffered hearing problems.

The MP told the daily that the resumption of the national dialogue was facing obstacles and that conditions imposed on its launching were obstructing it.

Jumblat stressed on his will to contact all the parties in Lebanon.

“Contacting (former Premier) Saad Hariri proves this…. But the conspiracy mind is controlling some lunatics …. I have always called for dialogue between all parties especially between Saad Hariri and (Hizbullah chief) Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah,” he said.

However, Jumblat noted that he “will keep on calling for dialogue… maybe then someone will respond,” Jumblat said.

The Druze leader told al-Akhbar newspaper on Thursday that Hizbullah should “assure people more. There are some Lebanese worried about the arms issue.”

Jumblat defends his stances concerning the Syrian situation, saying: “Don’t I have the right to be friends with March 8 forces and say my opinion about the situation in Syria.”

Asked about the cabinet, the MP told the newspaper that the government “is still at the stage of dealing with the accumulated issues during the past months.”

Concerning the appointments in the state institutions, Jumblat stressed that the competent deserve to have priorities. “Christians’ in administrative positions shouldn’t be classified according to their political affiliations.”