Jumblat calls for reason and wisdom in face of 'long' Sweida conflict

Druze leader in Lebanon Walid Jumblat urged the Druze community to use reason and wisdom before reacting and throwing accusations after clashes in Syria's Sweida province spread to Lebanon.

After an extraordinary meeting of the Druze Council, Jumblat proposed ceasefire and dialogue, adding that Jabal al-Arab in Sweida is an integral part of Syria and condemning Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon.

The escalation in Syria began with tit-for-tat kidnappings and attacks between local Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze armed factions in the southern province of Sweida. Government forces that intervened to restore order clashed with the Druze militias, but also in some cases attacked civilians.

The tensions spread to Lebanon where Druze protesters were seen in videos insulting army troops in Dahr al-Baydar, blocking roads and assaulting Syrian workers, passersby and residents in several parts of Lebanon.

Jumblat called for restraint in Lebanon and warned against blocking roads. He said the Sweida conflict would drag for a long time.

"We are at the beginning of a very long problem," he said.