Naharnet

Jumblat: Govt. Resignation Will Lead to Vacuum and Syrian Regime Trap

Progressive Socialist Party leader warned on Monday against forcing the government to “carry more than it can bear” in Lebanon in light of the increased demands for its resignation in the wake of the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan on Friday.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa magazine: “Insisting on the government's resignation will lead Lebanon to a vacuum and the country into the Syrian regime's trap.”

“The PSP is completely committed to civil peace as it is a red line that must not be crossed,” he added.

He renewed the party's readiness to participate in a national salvation government, “on condition that it enjoys local and regional consensus.”

The MP warned against “adventures that would lead to country to the unknown.”

Moreover, Jumblat said that the best way to honor Hasan and slain former Premier Rafik Hariri lies in supporting the state and bolstering security cooperation between the various agencies in order to avert further unrest.

“The best way to honor their memory lies in refraining from making accusations left and right, which only favors the Syrian regime that wants to drag Lebanon to internal strife at any cost to divert attention from the ongoing Syrian revolution,” he said.

In addition, he noted that President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati's statements that Hasan's murder may be linked to the arrest of former minister Michel Samaha coincides with the March 14 camp's views.

Samaha was arrested in August on charges of forming a criminal gang aimed at carrying out attack in Lebanon at Syria's behest.

Hasan, who was killed in a car bomb on Friday in Beirut's Ashrafiyeh district, played a major role in uncovering the plot.

“Hasan's assassination was not aimed against a sect, but against the state and its security agencies,” stressed Jumblat.

“The Lebanese people are therefore required to support the state,” he added.

Since the assassination, the March 14-led opposition has been demanding the resignation of the government.


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