Jumblat Rules out Crisis with Hizbullah over Iran's Role in Region
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat ruled out a dispute between him and Hizbullah over Iran's expansion in the region and its rivalry with Saudi Arabia.
In remarks to An Nahar daily published on Tuesday, Jumblat said Hizbullah should reassess “Iran's absolute support for the Syrian regime, which will destroy Syria.”
“This project will take the country to more destruction,” he stated.
Thousands of Hizbullah members are fighting in Syria alongside President Bashar Assad's troops against the rebels seeking to topple him. Their role has helped turn the fighting in Assad's favor in several key locations of the war-ravaged country.
“Isn't it our right to discuss and object Iran's support for the (Huthi) minorities in Yemen?” Jumblat wondered.
The lawmaker also criticized Hizbullah for lashing out at Saudi Arabia over its air strikes on the Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.
Since March 26, the Saudi-led coalition has been pounding the rebels and allied fighters loyal to Yemen's ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The Saudi government says its coalition of 10 Arab countries is bombing the Huthis to restore Yemen's internationally recognized president, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who was forced to seek refuge in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudis accuse Iran of arming the Huthis, but Tehran says it only provides aid and political support.
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