Jumblat stresses “Lebanon”s Arabism,” Denounces Delay in Rebuilding Nahr el-Bared
Democratic Gathering head Walid Jumblat has said that Lebanon needs to concentrate on the provisions of the Taef Accord, particularly Lebanon”s Arab identity.
Lebanon needs to "refocus on the guarantees of the Taef Accord, particularly on the issues of Lebanon”s Arabism," Jumblat noted in his weekly submission to Al-Anba newspaper to be published on Tuesday. He went on to say that many slogans "such as civil society" have been "failed" to achieve their higher objective, this is why only the "Arab identity protects Lebanon."
He also criticized campaigns from both March 8 and March 14, stressing that "service of the people is the first gauge of success," and adding that "the comfortable leather seats under the dome of parliament are not for prestige but rather for true representation."
The Progressive Socialist Party leader also denounced the delay in rebuilding the Palestinian refugee camp Nahr el-Bared for what he called "illogical and incomprehensible reasons." He also praised the steadfastness of the residents of Gaza during the current blockade of the coastal strip.
Jumblat also lashed out at politicians who seem to "have forgotten or ignored that the Taef Accord stipulate truce with Israel, which would mean freezing the state of war without entering into [a state of] peace." He added that there is not much difference between the new Israeli government and previous ones.
With regard to the ongoing Arab summit, Jumblat praised a Saudi initiative launched at the gathering and "which points out the necessity of reliance on dialogue as the only way to resolve Arab political disputes."