Jumblat: I Support New Govt. if Conditions for it are Available
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat renewed his rejection of political vacuum in Lebanon in the wake of the March 14-led opposition's demands for the resignation of the government and the formation of a national one, reported the daily An Nahar on Wednesday.
He told the daily: “I support the establishment of a new government if the conditions for it are available.”
“Demanding the formation of a new cabinet without providing the necessary local and regional cover would lead to a dangerous adventure,” he added.
Moreover, he noted that the rejection of dialogue before toppling the government is a position that needs to be reconsidered.
“Such a step does not reflect political wisdom,” remarked the MP in reference to the opposition's declaration that it will no longer take part in the national dialogue in light of the assassination of Internal Security Forces Intelligence Bureau head Brigadier General Wissam al-Hasan on Friday.
The head of the Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora had informed on Tuesday President Michel Suleiman of the bloc's decision.
An Nahar revealed that the MP informed National Struggle Front Minister Ghazi al-Aridi of the bloc's position as part of the ongoing contacts with Jumblat.
He informed Aridi that the opposition will maintain this position along with the open-ended sit-in in downtown Beirut in front of the Grand Serail that is demanding the government's resignation.
The opposition blames the Syrian regime of being behind the assassination and has demanded that the government, which is dominated by Syria's allies, to step down.
Mustaqbal MP Nuhad al-Mashnouq told An Nahar that the opposition will maintain its stances in a “democratic and peaceful manner.”
He revealed that the sit-ins will take on an “escalatory turn,” saying that discussions are ongoing with the March 14 forces to that end.
Meanwhile, March 14 General Secretariat coordinator Fares Soaid noted to the daily that the international position on the current government has shifted.
He explained that international powers had at first expressed support to Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government, as voiced by the ambassadors to Lebanon of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council on Saturday.
This position changed to one supporting stability in Lebanon and not the government, said Soaid.
This means that the international community will not stand in the way of any change that will ensure stability, he stressed.
Furthermore, he revealed that the March 14 camp has been and will continue to carry out contacts with various diplomatic powers to this end.
The five ambassadors held talks with President Michel Suleiman on Saturday in the wake of Hasan's assassination.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who was in Beirut on Tuesday, voiced the EU's support to Lebanon and its people.
“I welcome the efforts undertaken to maintain stability through national dialogue and encourage all political leaders to work towards constructive solutions to the main challenges facing Lebanon today,” she said at the end of her visit during which she held talks with Suleiman, Miqati, Speaker Nabih Berri, Saniora, and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.
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