No Return to Syrian Guardianship if Lebanese-Syrian Ties Based on Taef
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has said the setting up of diplomatic ties between Beirut and Damascus based on the Taef accord would not bring back the era of Syrian hegemony.
"Establishing Lebanese-Syrian relations according to the Taef agreement does not mean a return to the former Syrian guardianship. Rather (it would lead to) respect of Lebanon”s sovereignty and independence," Jumblat wrote in al-Anbaa weekly.
He criticized the Syrian regime”s reaction to the international tribunal that would try ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s suspected assassins.
"This regime states that it is unconcerned with the tribunal. On other occasions it states it will put on trial anyone found involved in assassinations (in Lebanon) and charge them with treason. Why this contradiction?," the Druze leader wondered.
Jumblat predicted that more assassinations would occur with the imminent launching of the Special Tribunal.
He said Lebanon was being used "as a bargaining chip" in the Shebaa Farms issue since Syria was holding indirect peace talks with Israel but was abstaining from officially recognizing the Shebaa Farms as Lebanese territory.