Jumblat”s Call for Muslim Gathering Aims to Erase May 7 “Traces”
The Lebanese Forces leader said Thursday MP Walid Jumblat”s attempt to finally turn the page on the May 7, 2008 clashes was behind his call for a grouping with Hizbullah, Speaker Nabih Berri and al-Mustaqbal movement.
"Jumblat is definitely trying to erase the traces of May 7 events, which is a beneficial step for Lebanon and the Lebanese," Samir Geagea told Voice of Lebanon radio in an interview.
"As such, I understand his call for the formation of a kind of gathering with al-Mustaqbal bloc, Hizbullah and Speaker Nabih Berri," he said.
Jumblat”s calls came in an interview published Thursday with the Kuwaiti al-Awan daily. Excerpts of the interview were also made public on Wednesday.
Geagea, however, singled out Jumblat”s description of the Muslim political arenas in Beirut and the southern suburbs as "the most essential" in Lebanon.
"This statement is incorrect. What is essential in Lebanon is the national arena. It is more important than the Muslim and Christian (political) arenas," he said.
Geagea saw no need for such a move in Christian areas, which "did not witness events similar to those of May 7."
On the government, the LF leader ruled out a final shape-up "in the coming days, because there was still the problem of veto power" as demanded by the opposition.