Jumblat: We Should Derive Lessons on Arab Unity in Wake of 2006 July War

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat noted on Wednesday the sacrifices of the Islamic and national resistance throughout the years in its efforts to liberate Lebanon from Israeli occupation.

He said in a statement on the anniversary of the end of the July 2006 war: “No matter what the internal circumstances and Lebanese divisions over major and minor issues are, we should derive lessons from the July war that brought national solidarity with the residents of the South and the resistance.”

He listed a number of the sacrifices presented by the Palestinian and Lebanese resistances over the decades, “which culminated in the historic unconditional withdrawal of Israel from the South in 2000.”

“No matter what the circumstances the Arab region is passing through, we should not forget the central conflict against Israel, which usurped Palestinian land for nearly a century,” he added.

“Despite all of the international laws and treaties, the international community never stood against the Palestinians' expulsion from their land and the massacres and war crimes committed against them,” Jumblat said.

“The Palestinian cause will remain the main issue despite the almost complete lack of Arab interest and the international community's absence, except that of Brazil against the Israeli assault against the Gaza Strip,” he remarked.

“Preserving Palestinian national unity should remain a priority above all others in order to unite the position over this historic conflict that has been going on for decades,” he stated.

Jumblat saluted the Palestinian people and their struggle, as well as the national and Islamic resistance in Lebanon on the occasion of the victory in the July 2006 war.

The 33-day July war was sparked when Hizbullah abducted a number of Israeli soldiers in a cross-border raid.

M.T.

S.D.B.