Jumblatt: Hariri can rule, but not against Syria

Source: Nowlebanon.com, 3-7-2009

"Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri can rule, but not against Syria," Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt told As-Safir newspaper on Friday, adding, "Hariri will rule based on a Syrian-Saudi agreement."

Such an agreement would facilitate a Saudi-Iranian accord in order to stop sectarian strife, especially in Lebanon, the PSP leader said, "rather than wrongly depending on a rather ridiculous idea that Syria and Iran would ever cut relations."

In that context, he advised Hariri to have more meetings with Hizbullah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri.

Jumblatt also stressed that all parties should follow the lead of the Progressive Socialist Party-Hizbullah reconciliation, saying that healthier inter-relations should be fostered between the PM-designate, Hizbullah and the Amal Movement in Beirut and its suburbs.

The PSP leader condemned criticisms launched against the Lebanese Armed Forces, who were accused of not doing their job properly, especially those with regard to the Aisha Bakkar clashes, which left one dead and 11 injured.

"Only the state can protect its people, and I call on everyone to follow the lead of the military institution," adding that the Lebanese "hold the LAF responsible for more than it can handle."