Jumblat: I’ve Settled My Choices, No New Shift in My Political Course

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Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat on Monday stressed that there will be no “new shift” in his political alliances, in response to Tuesday’s remarks by Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, who said he had “heard that MP Jumblat has started to shift ground.”

“I have settled my choices and there will be no new shift in my political course,” Jumblat said in an interview with MTV.

Addressing the cabinet formation impasse, Jumblat warned of the “economic threats it poses to the country.”

The Druze leader stressed that he is coordinating his stances with Hizbullah, but called on the March 8 forces to “shoulder their responsibilities.”

“The economic fate of the country is more important than elections in Keserwan and Byblos,” Jumblat added, clearly hitting out at Aoun.

He also noted that his bloc will not take part in a June 8 controversial parliamentary legislative session called by Speaker Nabih Berri “unless it was dedicated for the discussion of a sole item – renewing the mandate of (Central Bank Governor Riad) Salameh.”

“The government should not be replaced by the parliament,” Jumblat added, reminding caretaker premier Saad Hariri that he is “the head of a caretaker cabinet, in addition to being the head of a political movement, and he should perform his duties.”

Jumblat has called for a “real implementation” of the decree issued recently by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on lifting the decades-old state of emergency in the unrest-hit country.

In his weekly column in his party’s mouthpiece al-Anbaa newspaper, Jumblat said “the release of all political prisoners … the abolishment of martial laws and the real implementation of the decree lifting the state of emergency … are apt to correct the course and build a new Syria that takes into account the people’s aspirations and their desire to live freely and with dignity.”

Jumblat noted that “holding accountable those behind the practices committed in Daraa and other places prepares the ground for rebuilding confidence and credibility between the state and the Syrian citizen, which have been majorly damaged over the past few months.”

Addressing Sunday’s bloodshed in the occupied Golan Heights in which Syrian state television said 23 people were killed and 350 wounded when Israeli troops shot at protesters marking Naksa Day, Jumblat said “what happened on the occupied Golan front proves that the Arab-Israeli conflict has not ended yet.”

The PSP leader stressed the need that “Syria be more immune in the face of the Israeli scheme, which wants to drag it along with other Arab states into chaos and sectarian conflicts, and consequently to undermine the defiance and resistance scheme.”

“Out of keenness on Syria and its stability, role and advanced position in the region in the face of Israeli occupation and schemes, we look forward for it to exit its current crisis towards a new era characterized by political, economic and social reform,” Jumblat added.

Comments 13
Default-user-icon Gebran Sons for Cedar Revolution II in 2013 (Guest) almost 13 years

Despicable! You and the SSNP are supporting a tyrant and a criminal and the time will come when you'll be brought to justice for complicity. Stop back paddling and stand unequivocally for human rights for once... but after all you have already sold your soul to the Basij and Mukhabarat. Pity you and your blind followers! You can never get out of the hole of blatant conspiracy against Lebanon's sovereignty and dignity you dug for yourself. That's your definitive legacy.

Default-user-icon Jethro (Guest) almost 13 years

HOT DANG! Look at him dance!!!

Default-user-icon Le Phenicien (Guest) almost 13 years

Are there still people who listen to what this character says ? I wish he says the same thing on Arab monarchies that he supports blindly for their pétrodollars ..

Our national Chaméléon will soon change his speach and directions like he does every 2 or 3 months .. when he sees that the Alaouite régime is here to stay and getting stronger and stronger ....

Thumb Marc almost 13 years

As much as I tried to comprehend and appreciate that Mr. Jumblatt is trying to spare his people from civil war and strife, his latest stands are beyond me, and will not help the Druze community. If he wants to be neutral and neither Mar 8 or 14, just spit it out and distant yourself from all including the falling Syrian Regime. You really think Bashar is going to listen to you? he thinks he owns you and others!!!

Default-user-icon Iben el Nimer (Guest) almost 13 years

Walid! are you going to switch back? do it before it's too late

Default-user-icon peacemaker (Guest) almost 13 years

flip flap flip flap.I have no idea what side Jumblat . When you are strong he kisses your hands when you are not he bites them. hahahhahah.
What a joke. Is this what we need in our Gov? No wonder they cant create a gov because most of them are like Jumblat.

Default-user-icon MUSTAPHA O. GHALAYINI (Guest) almost 13 years

he wants to switch back,he can't,jumblat with the egocentric mentality of a feodal leader always goes where he is needed most to feel his importance,bilad el arz already refected him "politely"by no even mentioning his name.
anyway bilad el arz, the way things are going so fast dosn't need him anymore,especially after the alawi regime is killing hundreds of police and army that he do not trust "enough", and blaming it to the insurgents.

Missing elielebnan almost 13 years

Reading between the lines, PSP leader is predicting the fall of the Allaouite regime, he is announcing a new era of economic, social, political reforms, etc....that can only takes place if Assad regime is NO MORE!!

On shifting alliances, again you need to read between the lines; PSP leader is not changing positions "Now" :-) ..he left the door open to come bck next week or next month and declare a new 360 degree shift... he is a master at speaking from both sides of his mouth, and don't blame him, blame the blind followers who "buy" anything he sell them!!

Default-user-icon Gabriel (Guest) almost 13 years

Will everyone just leave the great eggboliza alone. Aside from Ziad Baroud (who is more of a public servant rather than a politician), uncle Wally is the only real politician Lebanon has right now. He has had the wisdom and good sense to speak out against the absurdity in Lebanese politics (you don't hear SHN's "1984 aldous huxley" speeches out of uncle Wally nor do you hear right wing christian paranoia from him either) and he does this while walking a very tight rope of compromise. He is worried about is his region, his country, his people, and his children. Please heed this man's word. He is wiser than he looks. More power to you Mr. Jumblat. This is coming from a Lebanese-Syrian christian completely unaffiliated with any political party.

Default-user-icon reaper (Guest) almost 13 years

mr jumblatts guilty conscience is making him say these things as it was his votes that caused that march 8 coup and put lebanon in this vulnerable place lawlessness. the JUMBLATT COUP " set back lebanon 60 years" ......

Default-user-icon reaper (Guest) almost 13 years

mr jumblatts guilty conscience is making him say these things as it was his votes that caused that march 8 coup and put lebanon in this vulnerable place of lawlessness. the JUMBLATT COUP " set back lebanon 60 years" ......

Default-user-icon Da dude (Guest) almost 13 years

mm seems like both m14 and m8 fans agree on jumblat im realyl starting to like him cose those 2 hate him..

Default-user-icon realist (Guest) almost 13 years

who cares what this guy says anymore? who cares what nasralah says anymore: did he occupy the galilee? did he fire a single shot at israel since his 'victory" in 06? was he not provoked many times since 06? what about the dead in maroon ras few nweeks ago..oh i forgot they were palestenians so he cares less...2011 is the year of truth, hypocrisy cant survive the era of facebook and internet, the art of politics is witnessing a historical moment of evolution. The near future is going to be bleak for lebanon/Syria, Lebanon will most likely officialy be a failed state come 2012, the whole map of the middle east is changing, jumblatt and his likes are insignificant.