Jumblat Hopes New Govt. Will Organize Political Disputes, Ease Tensions

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat hailed on Monday the formation of a new government, noting that the arduous negotiations resulted in the formation of an all-embracing cabinet that he had called for since the beginning of Tammam Salam's appointment as premier-designate.

He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “We hope the government will help organize political disputes by taking them off the streets and to the cabinet table.”

“Even though the disputes have become deep-rooted, we can help ease them through calming the political and media rhetoric until the circumstances are suitable enough to reach radical solutions to pending issues,” he explained.

These issues include staging the presidential elections on time “in order to avoid vacuum that will strike a harsh blow to our democratic system,” remarked the MP.

The government must also tackle the terrorist and security threats facing Lebanon by raising coordination between the various security agencies and army, suggested Jumblat.

A new government was formed on Saturday after a nearly 11-month deadlock.

The formation has eased some fears that the presidential elections, set for spring, may be postponed.