Many of My Slogans Weren”t Welcomed by my Supporters
Progressive Socialist Party leader snapped back at al-Mustaqbal movement”s statement Sunday night, saying his latest remarks were only aimed at reviving his party although he admitted that several of his stances weren”t welcomed by his supporters.
"Aren”t I allowed on a party occasion … to remind of the party”s history and push it for revival?" Jumblat wondered.
He told As Safir newspaper late Sunday that he will "avoid entering into an argument with al-Mustaqbal movement pending an explanation."
"It”s ok if some want to remind of their history, but on condition of not going back to the shameful history in which many were partners in putting their personal interest above the nation”s interest," the movement said on Sunday.
"I don”t understand this logic. If the (al-Mustaqbal) statement was issued as a reaction to my stance from “Lebanon First,” then it isn”t worth this fury," the Druze leader told As Safir in remarks published Monday.
Asked if he was planning to set up a new national movement, he said that he was for now concerned with "restructuring the party on the basis of historic principles."
Jumblat stressed to al-Akhbar newspaper that his speech on Sunday, which drew al-Mustaqbal”s reaction, was aimed at reminding of PSP”s historic principles. "My cause is Arabism and Palestine," he said.
The party”s restructuring will focus on "educating the masses through a plan that extends for three years," the Druze leader told al-Akhbar.
He said many slogans weren”t welcomed by his supporters on Sunday because of the "big differences between tentative speech and pragmatism."
He said there is also a huge difference between the morals of the PSP from one part and Phalange and Lebanese Forces on the other. "We only came together because of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s assassination."
Al-Akhbar said Jumblat will visit the headquarters of the Syrian Social National Party in Raouche mid-next week to meet with the party”s leader, MP Assaad Hardan.