Back from Syria, Jumblatt: No to Foreign Intervention in Syria

The Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt, accompanied by Minister of Public Works and Transport in the caretaker government, Ghazi Aridi, returned from a visit to the Syrian capital Damascus during which they met the Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

A statement of the Progressive Party revealed that "consultations concentrated on the latest developments in Lebanon in addition to the progress in the government's formation process;" insisting that "the views were consistent in terms of the need to accelerate the government's formation which has a great role in protecting Lebanon's stability."

The statement pointed out that the discussion touched the developments in Syria. Meanwhile, the party leader Walid Jumblatt, hoped that "Syria passes this critical phase in its history through the adoption of reforms launched by President Assad which will enhance Syria's national unity and fortifies its strength and invulnerability," adding that " this is to be achieved through a wide national dialogue establishing a new phase under the headline of stability and reform."

Rejecting any foreign intervention in Syria, Jumblatt stressed "the importance of stability in Syria which goes hand in hand with Lebanon's stability, as stipulated in the Taif agreement, which makes it imperative to quickly form a new government in Lebanon."