Aridi Meets Berri, Says 'Settlement is Courage, Not Defeat'

Ex-minister Ghazi Aridi on Friday called on all political parties to follow the example of Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat so that the new government could be formed as soon as possible.

Speaking after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Ain el-Tineh, Aridi hoped the ongoing efforts will lead to the formation of a government soon, urging all parties to “realize the graveness of the circumstances we're going through.”

“Let us close ranks to solve the problems and shoulder our responsibilties,” Aridi added.

And calling on everyone to “follow the example” of Jumblat so that the government can be formed as soon as possible, the PSP official warned that “the situation is critical and we must brave steps.”

“This is what Walid Jumblat has done, seeing as settlement is courage and not a defeat,” Aridi went on to say.

He was referring to Jumblat's acceptance of the appointment of a so-called consensus Druze minister after he had initially insisted on naming all three Druze ministers in the new government.