Jumblat to Remain in Cabinet ‘Until Further Notice,’ Warns of its Collapse
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Friday that he is still part of the cabinet “until further notice,” confirming his centrist stance.
He slammed some of the March 14-led opposition members for continuously calling on the cabinet to resign.
“I don’t mind if they return to power,” he told al-Joumhouria newspaper, warning that forcing the collapse of the government amid the current situation in the country would lead to a further deterioration in the political and security situation.
“Would they accept to handle this burden? Unless they have a magic solution to resolve the crisis in the country” Jumblat wondered.
Concerning the electricity crisis, the Druze leader said that he “didn’t find an explanation why the state isn’t benefiting from the Kuwaiti loans to resolve the prolonged crisis.”
“It is time for us to assume our responsibilities; there are soft loans from Kuwait, other Arab countries and private companies that are ready to sponsor the building of new power plants,” Jumblat pointed out.
He reminded the cabinet, in particular Hizbullah, that the electricity issue is technical and not political.
“The mismanagement by an absurd party is forcing citizens to remain enslaved by darkness, having no other way but burning tires to protest this policy,” he stated.
Frequent power cuts have been witnessed in Lebanon over the past week, with citizens venting their frustrations through blocking roads in various regions across the country.
On the unrest in the Nahr al-Bared and Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camps, Jumblat noted that these incidents should become an incentive to implement the decisions taken by Lebanese foes regarding the Palestinian arms outside the refugee camps.
“The main Palestinian factions such as Fatah and Hamas have no interest in escalating tension,” he said, voicing his support to the army.
At least three Palestinians were killed and several people, including three Lebanese soldiers, were wounded in clashes that erupted between the Lebanese army and residents of Nahr al-Bared and Ain el-Hilweh.
Asked about the turmoil in Syria, Jumblat told the daily that the international inaction and hesitation increased the chaos in the neighboring country and encouraged the regime to become more destructive.
He pointed out that there is “no solution amid the presence of (Syrian President) Bashar Assad’s regime. It should leave for its best interest and the interest of everyone else.”
“Probably the Syrian president should be moved to a more convenient place like Moscow, the Urals or perhaps Tehran… to resolve some of the intellectual desertification hitting some leaders,” Jumblat added.
almost 12 years
mr joumblat ya beik
there are better financial deals from non arab countries for building power plants and you and others refuse it , if you really care about the ordinary citizen not to stay in the dark you and the others who refuse the deal are responsible
btw ya beik why you agreed and pushed to push the late georges frem from harriris goverment ?
almost 12 years
FlameThrower,don't mind you having a cheap shot at our charasmatic and predictable friend Walid,he no doubt earned it and surely deserves it.But you need to go easy on Mr Hamedeh,Marwan is loyal,fearless ,and very intelligent man.He's a person of enormous integrity,whether you admire him or not, you surely have to respect him.I salute you Mr Hamedeh.
almost 12 years
4G: the guy's name is flamethrower, that is what he does . . .. . . .. Literally
almost 12 years
That's why the fearless and man of enormous integrity was the guest to arrive first and VERY, VERY EARLY at the reception party held by the Syrian ambassador. Enormous integrity alright. Just look at the enormous integrity of his charismatic and PREDICTABLE master. People like you are carried in the intestines of their mothers not their wombs.
almost 12 years
I agree with you, but please have mercy on us and spare us your long dissertations. Three lines maximum, if you can, unless you are saying something funny and entertaining. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.
almost 12 years
Nobody is forcing you to read it.
almost 12 years
Who cares? I believe he will be dumped by both camps. But then I could be wrong because filth is rampant among our politicians.
almost 12 years
Is this another statement by Jumblat to impress us with how much of a deep thinker he is? Even if Ghandi were alive he would pale in comparison with Jumby! Aren't we fortunate to have him? I just cannot wait to see him in diapers a la Ghandi!
almost 12 years
مش بس نحن معك ، الله معك ، لانك رجل المراحل الصعبة ، والمنقذ ، ما ترد عليهم فحرام هذا العقل الوازن ان يرد على هذه المطباط الهوائية، ، ، د انور
almost 12 years
اقل ما يستطيع اللبناني والعربي المتعمق في احداث وتطورات لبنان والمنطقة ، ان يتعرف ماذا يعني جنبلاط في محور السياسة ، هل هو شريك في التغيير ، هل انه الوسيط مع ٨ آذار او انه المستشار والناصح الوطني الذي انهك نفسه لكي يحيد البلد ، ويحافظ على السلم الاهلي ، هل انقذ مرارا لبنان من مصائد ركبت له ، انه واقعي بامتياز في موضوع المقاومة وعلاقته بالسيد حسن ، وحليف ضامن للسلم مع الرئيس بري ، ومقاوم للاستعمار العقلي والخارجي حرف غير معلن في السياسة وعلم وطني لا بل صانع ثورة الارز ، ورجل الوفاء للمرحوم الشهيد الغالي رفيق الحريري ، ولا شك انه من اول الواقفين الى جانب رئيس البلاد ذلك الجندي العامل بصمت الجبابرة العماد سليمان ، وليد جنبلاط حاجة وطنية وقومية ضامنة للعروبة ولحقوق الاقليات بالمفهوم المعنوي والتاريخي ،،، جل ما اطلب من مهرجي التلفزيونات احترام انفسهم اولا ثم عقول الساسة في الخارج العربي والعالمي ، لما يمثل الرجل من ثقل فكري وعربي ، د انور ابي فراج
isnt you the so called centrist with our dear president that refuse to sign to release the money so the goverment can work
so you so called centrist contribute with the darkness also
btw there are offers from non arab countries to built us power plants with better financial conditions than the arabs and nobody accepted ya beik why ?
once again ya beik how come your a beik and socialist