Latest news with #Joumblatt
L'Orient-Le Jour
28-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Salam confident about UNIFIL mandate renewal at the end of August
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Monday he was "reassured about the renewal of the mandate for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) at the end of August." Asked by the newspaper al-Liwa about his outlook for the near future, he said, "Anything is possible and nothing is definitive." Lebanon is going through a delicate phase in its history following the war between Hezbollah and Israel, which left the party weakened but still resistant to disarmament — a demand of the international community and particularly the United States. The U.S. envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, who made several visits to Lebanon recently to push for the establishment of a roadmap leading to disarmament, stated Sunday on X that "the credibility of the Lebanese government rests on its ability" to regain a monopoly on the use of force. "As long as Hezbollah retains its weapons, words are not enough. The government and Hezbollah must fully engage and act now so as not to confine the Lebanese people to a precarious status quo," the American diplomat added. Many observers fear that the renewal of UNIFIL's mandate in southern Lebanon will become more difficult given the Lebanese government's delay in fulfilling its commitments regarding the monopoly on weapons. UNIFIL is made up of international contingents and is tasked with maintaining peace in this troubled region. In recent months, some residents of villages dominated by Hezbollah have become aggressive, provoking incidents with peacekeepers in several areas. During his interview with the newspaper, Salam denied all rumors regarding his recent official trip to France and his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. "I am surprised by the rumors about the supposedly negative outcome of this meeting, when in fact it was positive," he said. "France supports Lebanon, but the level of this support depends on developments that will take place." According to al-Markaziya, the prime minister met Walid Joumblatt, former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, on Sunday evening away from media coverage. Asked by al-Liwa, he explained that Joumblatt wanted to inquire about the outcomes of his meetings in Paris and the prospects for French support. On Saturday, Joumblatt spoke in favor of handing over Hezbollah's heavy weapons to the state, saying that the group's leaders must understand that "keeping heavy weapons and missiles is useless" and "will cause problems." President Salam had informed Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri about the results of his official visit to Paris and his meeting with the French president, "marked by the reaffirmation of France's support for Lebanon in various fields, as well as the commitment to renew UNIFIL's mandate, in order to preserve stability in the south."
L'Orient-Le Jour
27-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Joumblatt: Hezbollah must understand its missiles are now useless
BEIRUT — The Druze leader and former president of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), Walid Joumblatt, spoke in favor of withdrawing heavy weapons from Hezbollah's arsenal on Saturday in an interview with the Saudi channel al-Arabiya. "Hezbollah officials must understand that keeping heavy weapons and missiles serves no purpose. It's no longer useful, on the contrary, it will cause us problems and Lebanon will not stabilize. (...) It will cause us, and them [Hezbollah,] complete destruction," said the Druze leader, when asked about his position on the Shiite party's arsenal. Hezbollah disarmament has been at the center of Lebanese and international political negotiations since the cease-fire that ended two months of all-out war with Israel took effect on Nov. 27, 2024. No weapons outside those of the state "I return to the idea of resistance," he added. "That does not detract from my historical condemnation of Western and Zionist Israeli occupation of Palestine but, at the very least, that's my position for Lebanon. Of course, this must come with the implementation of international decisions, among them the withdrawal of the Israeli army from occupied territories in Lebanon," he said, before reaffirming his support for the idea of a monopoly on weapons held by the state, as the PSP officially handed over its weapons at the end of June, hoping Hezbollah and Palestinian factions in Lebanon would do the same. "We have reached an agreement with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to implement all international decisions: there should not be a single weapon outside those of the state. This work has started in South Lebanon, but at the same time, Israeli bombings and killings have not stopped," he emphasized. Asked about the "support war," whose front Hezbollah opened on Oct. 8, 2023 in solidarity with the Gaza Strip and the Hamas movement, Joumblatt again revisited his earlier stance in favor of an "equilibrium of terror" that Hezbollah's arsenal imposed on Israel, according to him and the pro-Iranian party's supporters. "At that time, I thought the [Hezbollah] military arsenal and missiles could hinder and deter Israel, but perhaps that was a mistake. Things have changed since the 2006 war," he conceded. No disarmament by force The Druze leader finally said that this process should not, however, be carried out "by force," at risk of causing internal security disturbances. "Deep down, I do not believe in the outcome of Lebanese political arrangements, but it is not possible to disarm Hezbollah by force. I have said it: these heavy missiles are no longer of any use, but there must be international support for the Lebanese army. Up until now, we have seen a bit of support, but it is timid," he concluded. Once an objective ally of Hezbollah, Joumblatt has since the end of the last war become one of its internal opponents. He has notably held rare one-on-one discussions with the leader of the Lebanese Forces (LF) Christian party, Samir Geagea, who is strongly hostile towards Hezbollah. These statements come as the United States, through its special envoy for Lebanon and Syria, Tom Barrack, is calling for the development of a clear roadmap for Hezbollah's disarmament, including a timeline and enforcement mechanisms. "The credibility of the Lebanese government rests on its ability to put these principles into practice," the American diplomat said Saturday on X. "As its leaders have repeatedly said, it is crucial that the state has a monopoly on weapons. As long as Hezbollah retains its weapons, words will not be enough. The government and Hezbollah must fully commit and act now in order not to consign the Lebanese people to a precarious status quo." The pro-Iranian party has hinted it would reject any new agreement on its arsenal, insisting that Israel must first comply with existing agreements. Hezbollah notably demands that the Israeli army withdraw from the five positions it still occupies in South Lebanon and stop its daily strikes in the border area, which have killed at least 285 people since the truce, according to a count by the U.N. and L'Orient Today.
L'Orient-Le Jour
19-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Sweida clashes: Concern in Lebanon, and new calls for calm
As the security situation deteriorated sharply this week in Syria's southern province of Sweida — where fighting between the Druze population on one side and Sunni tribes and government forces on the other has killed over 940 people — sporadic clashes in Lebanon have raised fears that the violence could spill across the border. Over the past few days, leaders across Lebanon have issued calls for calm to prevent sectarian clashes between Druze and Sunnis. The country's highest religious authorities — the Sunni Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdellatif Derian, and the Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Aql Sami Abi al-Mona — spoke by phone Friday in a joint appeal for restraint. Appeals continued Saturday, coinciding with the start of a cease-fire in Syria. Tripoli MP Ashraf Rifi, a prominent Sunni political figure, told reporters that 'the relationship with the Druze is good,' adding that 'there is no risk of instability spilling into Lebanon thanks to the wisdom shown by the leadership of both communities.' 'Sunnis feel pride in the Syrian revolution's victory, but they take no pride in a conflict with the Druze community,' Rifi said. Asked about Tripoli, where some factions have expressed radical views on the Syrian conflict, Rifi emphasized that 'the dominant voice in the city is one of moderation and wisdom,' noting a history of generally positive relations between Sunnis and Druze, despite periods of tension. But not all were as optimistic. MP Wael Abou Faour, a close ally of Druze leader Walid Joumblatt, said he was 'concerned that the events in Sweida will negatively affect Lebanon.' He added that Joumblatt 'is making contacts both domestically and abroad to prevent any missteps or internal tensions, including road closures and sectarian incidents that have occurred in recent days.' Solidarity rallies with the Druze of Sweida were held Wednesday in the Bekaa Valley and other parts of Lebanon, while in Tripoli's al-Nour Square, dozens gathered in support of the Damascus regime and in protest of Israeli airstrikes. In the Bekaa village of Marj, tensions briefly flared when a group confronted a young man wearing traditional Druze garb. Abou Faour noted that Joumblatt had long cautioned the Druze of Sweida to remain within the Syrian state framework and to maintain dialogue with other national factions. 'Unfortunately,' he said, 'what he warned against has come to pass.' Another Druze figure, Lebanese Democratic Party leader Talal Arslan, welcomed the cease-fire in a post on X. 'We salute the announcement of a cease-fire in Syria, especially in Sweida, among all factions of the brotherly Syrian people,' he wrote. 'Syria must remain united, as it has throughout history, and continue to serve as a compass for Arab positions.' Joumblatt's roadmap On Friday evening, Joumblatt, his son Taymour — the current leader of the Progressive Socialist Party — and all current and former MPs and ministers in their parliamentary bloc convened at the residence of Sheikh Abi al-Mona. According to the Al-Anbaa news outlet, Joumblatt presented a detailed roadmap aimed at resolving the crisis in Sweida, which he intends to discuss with both the Syrian government and prominent Druze figures in Syria. The plan calls for an immediate cease-fire — achieved the next morning — and serious dialogue between the Syrian state and local stakeholders in Sweida. It also includes a condemnation of Israeli attacks on Syria and Lebanon, the creation of an investigative commission to probe the crimes and abuses committed in Sweida, an end to provocative campaigns within Lebanon, and a rejection of road closures. Joumblatt's roadmap also urges the Syrian government to take direct action with Bedouin communities in the Sweida area to de-escalate tensions and restore stability.
L'Orient-Le Jour
05-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Behind Joumblatt's visit to Syria
By making a sudden visit to Syria on Friday, Druze leader Walid Joumblatt wanted to sound the alarm once again. Following dangerous developments last week between Syrian Druze and Sunnis, which raised fears of the country's potential partition, the former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader renewed his unconditional support for Syrian unity, which he believes is largely dependent on Lebanon's initiative, which ardently defends the Druze's Arab roots at a time when Israel has stepped into the breach, claiming to defend this community, came the day after deadly incidents in early May between Druze militiamen and armed groups linked to the new power in Damascus. Context Joumblatt and Druze sheikh Akl condemn Israeli attacks in Syria Joumblatt did not make any statements following his meeting with...
LBCI
03-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Walid Joumblatt condemns Israeli strikes on Syria
Former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Joumblatt condemned the latest Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory, including areas around the capital, Damascus, Friday night. Joumblatt described the repeated Israeli attacks as a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty, warning that such actions undermine efforts to advance the political solution being pursued in coordination with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. He called on Arab countries and the international community to extend full support to Syria in its efforts to rebuild the state, secure its future, and protect both its territory and citizens. Joumblatt also urged intense pressure on Israel to halt its ongoing violations by air and land and to end its occupation of parts of Syrian territory.
