Jumblat Says Turkey Keen Not to Allow Syrian Crisis Slip to Lebanon

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Monday the importance of maintaining stability in Lebanon to avert any repercussions the Syrian crisis may have on the country.

Jumblat told As Safir newspaper that his meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Saturday tackled the Lebanese local situation.

The two officials stressed during their talks the importance of preserving stability, and renewing dialogue between Lebanese foes to resolve the jammed issues.

Davutoglu was in Beirut over the weekend to attend a conference entitled “Reform and Transitions to Democracy organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

He also held talks with senior Lebanese officials.

Jumblat told the daily that they discussed the developments in Syria. “There’s a Turkish concern over the events and the possibility of the (crisis) slipping to Lebanon.”

Turkey “is keen not to allow (the Syrian crisis) slip into Lebanon,” Jumblat remarked.

He confirmed that he shares the Turkish FM’s concern “especially after the (Syrian regime) wasted chances” to resolve the crisis in the country.