Jumblat: Internal Division in Lebanese Govt. over Syrian Crisis Has Emerged
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat warned on Monday against attempts to create division among Syria and Lebanon’s Druze population regarding the former’s anti-regime demonstrations.
He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine: “Internal division has also taken place within the Lebanese government” where some sides support the Syrian regime and others back the protests.
“Syria’s Druze have a long history of resisting occupiers and they will do so today in the name of liberating their country from oppression,” he continued.
“They will not allow some thugs from Mount Lebanon or the Syrian regime to lure them into a trap,” he stressed.
Addressing the Druze, the MP noted: “They are seeking to turn you into Israel’s border guards. Our history is marked by coexisting with our Arab Islamic surroundings and the future belongs to those seeking freedom in Syria.”
“You belong on their side,” said the Druze leader.
Jumblat described the regime’s promise of reform as a “joke”, slamming major powers’ support for this “charade” where it has supplied the regime with arms, intelligence, and naval vessels.
He made his statement in reference to Iran’s recent sending of a warship to Syria and Russia’s similar move a few weeks ago in a show of support for the regime.
“Instead of helping the Syrian people end four decades of oppression, these countries are hanging on the regime at the expense of the country’s unity,” remarked the PSP leader.
He wondered whether these powers have any strategic interests in fragmenting the region or if they are keen on the offshore oil wealth along the eastern Mediterranean.
Furthermore, Jumblat accused the West of adopting a “silly” similar approach as that of Lebanon, which has sought to distance itself from the developments in Syria.
The MP remarked that the West had initially advocated the Syrian people’s demands and it is now simply calling for setting up humanitarian corridors.
“The West is using the division among the Syrian opposition to justify its failure to recognize it,” he added.
He attributed the West’s position to Israel and its security, “which has been maintained in the Golan Heights thanks to the policy of defiance” against occupiers.
This policy destroyed Lebanon’s national unity and “paved the way for foreign meddling, which culminated in political assassinations and successive wars under various excuses,” he stressed.
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