Jumblat Praises Khatib's 'Bold' Dialogue Proposal with Syrian Regime

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat praised on Monday Syrian National Coalition chief Moaz al-Khatib's “bold” proposal to hold dialogue with the Syrian regime.

He said in his weekly editorial to the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “He may have an impossible mission on his hands, but no other alternatives to end the Syrian crisis, based on the Geneva agreement, are available.”

The Geneva agreement solution would entail reaching a transition period in Syria that inevitably calls for referring all of the Syrian president's privileges to the transitional government, he added.

This includes trying security officials and civilians who committed crimes against the Syrian people, he added.

“A cause as great as saving the Syrian people is worth the sacrifice,” declared Jumblat.

He therefore urged support for Khatib and the Syrian National Coalition, “given the international community and the Arab world's inaction over the daily crimes committed by the Syrian regime.”

“It has also become necessary for the countries that still support the Syrian regime, such as Iran and Russia, to help stop the war and implement the security solution in Syria,” the MP remarked.

“The repercussions of the ongoing violence will spread to the entire region, putting its security at risk and possibly placing it on the path of wars and countless and endless problems,” he warned.

“Could Russia and Iran possibly benefit from this possible unrest?” he wondered.

Khatib said on Wednesday he is ready for dialogue with officials of President Bashar Assad's regime, subject to conditions including that detainees are released.

He described his proposal as "a goodwill initiative to seek a political solution to the crisis, to prepare for a transitional phase that prevents any more bloodshed."

On the Israeli strike in Syria last week, Jumblat condemned the assault, “which falls in line with Israel's history of violating the sovereignty of Arab countries.”

“It is laughable to say to that the attack jeopardizes Syria's stability as if the country is still living in peace and prosperity and not being the victim of various arms used by the army and thugs,” he said.

“These same arms confronted NATO and shot down a Turkish plane and yet have not been employed to retaliate to the Israeli assault,” he added.

The Israeli strike near Damascus on Wednesday allegedly targeted surface-to-air missiles and an adjacent military complex believed to house chemical agents.