PSP Denies Jumblat Quitting March 14 Alliance
The Progressive Socialist Party on Tuesday denied its leader Walid Jumblat was quitting the ruling March 14 alliance over a crisis between him and Mustaqbal Movement boss Saad Hariri.
A PSP statement stressed Jumblat”s commitment to March 14.
The daily As Safir Tuesday said Jumblat threatened to withdraw from the March 14 camp if Hariri continued to back the candidacy of former lawmaker Ghattas Khoury to one of three Maronite seats in the Shouf district.
The paper quoted parliamentary sources in the March 14 coalition as saying that Jumblat”s threat came following receiving information that Khoury intended to launch his election campaign on Sunday.
The sources said preparations were underway for the event as Khoury accompanied Hariri on his visits to Britain and Belgium.
The problem was aggravated when Jumblat observed "unusual movement" by activists known for their close ties with Hariri in the Shouf and Iqlim al-Kharroub region, according to the sources.
It was at this point that Jumblat asked: "Is what Ghattas Khoury doing the work of Qoreitem or is it from abroad?"
"Has he (Khoury) decided to open up his own shop?" Jumblat reportedly asked sarcastically.
As Safir said Jumblat spoke in an angry tone when he telephoned Hariri while he was in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The daily said Hariri swiftly responded, promising Jumblat that he would deal with Khoury”s issue urgently.
Hariri”s wishes did not match Khoury”s, the paper said.
It said Khoury informed Hariri about his rejection to abide by the agreement between Jumblat and the Mustaqbal Movement leader.
As Safir said Hariri at this point informed Mustaqbal media outlets to refrain from mentioning Khoury in any news article.
Khoury, meanwhile, reportedly told visitors that he felt "betrayed."
"This is not the first time that he (Hariri) makes promises and does not keep them," Khoury reportedly told visitors in Beirut.
"Does Walid beik want to finish off what the Syrians had started — marginalizing the role of Christians in Lebanon?" asked Khoury furiously.
As Safir said Khoury moved ahead with his election campaign anyhow, distributing assistance to residents in the Shouf.
Meanwhile, local media said an overnight meeting was held between Jumblat and National Liberal Party leader Dory Chamoun to discuss electoral lists in the Shouf district. The meeting was also attended by MP Marwan Hamadeh and PSP Secretary Sharif Fayyad.
Hamadeh denied there is a crisis between Hariri and Jumblat.
"There is ongoing cooperation," Hamadeh told LBC television. "Jumblat is not going to leave March 14."
Hamadeh stressed that Chamoun is a set candidate on the Shouf list.