Jumblat, Gemayel Discuss 'Modest Initiative' to Preserve State Institutions

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Jumblat and Kataeb Party leader Amin Gemayel discussed on Thursday an initiative to preserve state institutions, mainly the Lebanese army.

“We hope for a modest initiative to back institutions, mainly the army, and those that preserve the state and the Republic,” said Jumblat after visiting Gemayel at his residence in Bikfaya.

“It's important to have presidential elections,” he said, but blamed “outside factors” for disturbing the polls.

“The extension of parliament's term has its damages but we should preserve state institutions,” Jumblat told reporters when asked if he backed such a move.

Parliament's mandate, which was extended last year, expires in November. Some blocs are backing a second extension while others are rejecting it.

Gemayel told reporters that he had similar viewpoints with Jumblat “in finding modest solutions to problems that we are suffering from.”

“We care about providing the minimum level of services to citizens ... We should preserve state institutions and consolidate them,” he said.

“We are thinking with Jumblat about (implementing) certain steps to preserve the institutions, including the army,” he added.

The military engaged in heavy clashes with jihadists in the northeastern border town of Arsal last month.

The militants from the Islamic State group and al-Qaida-linked al-Nusra Front took with them hostages from the army and security forces. They later beheaded two of them and on Tuesday threatened to kill another soldier if the Lebanese authorities did not meet their demands.

On Tuesday, Jumblat held talks with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, who visited him in Clemenceau.

G.K.

H.K.