Jumblat Blasts Iran over Prisoner Swap, Warns of 'Disastrous Results' of 'Sectarian Electoral' Law
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat criticized Iran on Monday for failing to seek the release of nine Lebanese pilgrims held hostage by rebels in Syria since last May.
He said in his editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa that Tehran could have included the Lebanese abductees in the negotiation process that led to the release of 48 Iranians last week.
The Iranians held hostage by rebels for more than five months in Syria were freed in a prisoner exchange after the rebels agreed to swap them for more than 2,000 detainees held by the Syrian regime.
The swap was arranged through mediation by Turkey and Qatar, according to several sources.
Eleven Lebanese pilgrims were seized by rebels in the northern province of Aleppo on their way back home from pilgrimage in Iran last May. Two have so far been released but the other nine remain kidnapped in the Aleppo town of Aaazaz.
“This incident is proof to the Lebanese parties that states only care for their direct interests,” Jumblat said.
He advised the major political parties in Lebanon “not to fall in the trap of commitment with foreign sides because they simply care about their private plans even if they come at the expense of the Lebanese and their freedom.”
Turning to the latest controversy on an electoral draft-law ahead of this year's parliamentary polls, Jumblat reiterated his call for the adoption of a law that unites the Lebanese rather than causes more sectarian divisions among them.
“Why don't we create a positive shock and make a leap towards a unique Lebanese Electoral Spring that liberates the parliament from sectarian representation?” the PSP chief asked.
He called for the formation of a senate that would have the authority to deal with major national issues.
“It is about time for the Lebanese to have an electoral law that unites them and finds common ground among them rather than adopting suggestions that cause sectarian divisions and take them centuries backwards,” he wrote.
Jumblat believed that the “Lebanese are capable of overcoming fake confessional barriers if they had the right political and electoral foundations.”
“Any proposal that comes outside this framework would only lead to dangerous and disastrous consequences in the short and long term,” he warned.
His remarks were a clear hint of his rejection of the so-called Orthodox Gathering proposal which has also been criticized by President Michel Suleiman, al-Mustaqbal movement and several March 14 independent Christian officials.
The proposal divides Lebanon into a single district and allows each sect to elect its own MPs based on a proportional representation system.
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