Jumblat: Activating Lebanese-Syrian Ties Would Help Prevent Turning Lebanon into Open Ground for Violence

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat described on Monday his recent visit to Damascus as "successful and excellent", saying it was an occasion to follow up on the effects of the summer's Saudi-Syrian-Lebanese summit, as well as the recent Saudi-Syrian summit in Riyadh.

He highlighted in his weekly commentary in the PSP-affiliated Anbaa magazine the importance of Lebanese-Syrian ties that "were baptized in blood and highlighted in the Taif agreement that emphasized that Syria's security is Lebanon's security, and Lebanon's security is Syria's security."

Activating Lebanese-Syrian ties would serve to eliminate attempts to create strife in Lebanon and avoid transforming Lebanon into an open ground for violence, he added.

These historic ties go beyond statements that do not affect the strategic Lebanese-Syrian relations, "so let us focus on this aspect instead of those jealous statements on sovereignty," Jumblat noted.

Furthermore, the Druze leader stressed the importance of Saudi-Syrian ties in instilling calm and stability in Lebanon.

He said: "The ongoing contacts between the two countries and their positive effects in Lebanon may annoy some nations and sides that will not hesitate to sabotage them."

"Lebanon should be aware of the dangers of sabotaging Saudi-Syrian ties and it should instead take advantage of them as they only have positive impacts on the country," he added.