Jumblat’s Sources: Feltman Backed PSP Chief’s Dialogue Call

Sources close to Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat have said that U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Jeffrey Feltman encouraged the PSP chief on his call for National Dialogue to resolve controversial issues.

Feltman met with Jumblat in Clemenceau on Thursday. The PSP’s press office said the Druze chief stressed the importance of dialogue as the only way to resolve differences and end the current crisis.

He also called for stability and civil peace away from tension, the statement said.

Jumblat’s sources told al-Liwaa daily published Friday that the U.S. diplomat visited Lebanon to hear the different viewpoints of Lebanese officials on the situation in Lebanon and the region, mainly Syria.

He explained to them the U.S. administration’s point of view on the developments in the region, including Iran, Syria and the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, they said.

The sources stressed however that Feltman did not bring anything new with him to Lebanon, saying he encouraged Jumblat on his call for National Dialogue.