Jumblat Hammers Aoun”s Defense Strategy, Rejects Security Committees with Syria
Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat on Tuesday criticized Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun”s defense strategy blueprint, saying it results in "mounting chaos … throughout Lebanon."
Jumblat, in an article published by the PSP”s weekly magazine al-Anbaa, said Aoun”s proposed defense strategy would also change Lebanon into "constant war field, which topples stability, torpedoes investment and increases immigration."
"Lebanon has played the role of (North Vietnam”s) Hanoi for quite a long time, and it is time for stability, prosperity and economic development," he wrote.
"Discussions of the defense strategy should focus on the gradual absorption by the army of the resistance weapons," Jumblat noted.
He said ministers who visit Damascus should refrain from forming joint security committees "that could develop at a later stage to justify renewed Syrian intervention in Lebanon”s domestic affairs."
He was apparently referring to the Damascus visit by Interior Minister Ziad Baroud and the forthcoming visit to the Syrian capital by Defense Minister Elias Murr.
Jumblat described as "lies" charges made by alleged Fatah al-Islam members through Syria”s state television regarding receiving funds from Saad Hariri”s Mustaqbal Movement.
"Such allegations do not serve the setting up of normal ties between Syria and Lebanon," he noted.