Jumblat: New Cabinet Could be Best Solution in this Transitory Period

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat expressed on Monday the need for a new approach to be adopted after the latest security incidents on the Lebanese scene, citing “a new governmental format” as one possible solution to avoid tensions and conflicts in the country.

"A new cabinet could play a stabilizing and assuring role during this period of transition until the doomed regime of Bashar Assad collapses,” Jumblat said in his weekly editorial in PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa newspaper .

A fight between supporters of Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir and Hizbullah took place on Sunday in the southern city of Sidon, leaving three people dead and others wounded.

Jumblat praised the so-called policy of self-disassociation adopted by the Lebanese cabinet, explaining that it succeeded in protecting the country from the repercussions of the Syrian turmoil. The PSP leader called on Lebanese parties allied with conflicting neighboring forces to avoid being dragged into regional struggles.

"Any attempt to divert from this approach could be very costly,” the Druze leader added, criticizing any interferences by March 8 and March 14 in the Syrian turmoil.

"Supporting one side of the revolution and expecting the outcomes in the Syrian war to be reflected on the Lebanese political scene is one losing bet,” Jumblat expressed, explaining that inflaming Sunni-Shiite tensions and linking them to regional conflicting powers would have devastating outcome on the entire Lebanese population.

On the other hand, Jumblat congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on his reelection, explaining that winning the elections reflects the American people's faith in their president and their aspiration to continue with him the plans his administration laid during his first term at the office.

"In the midst of the historical changes taking place in Arab countries towards democratic and human rights values, this part of the world is looking for establishing special relations with the U.S.,” Jumblat said in his letter to Obama.

The Druze leader emphasized that the gate to special relations with the Arab World remains through resolving the Palestinian cause.

“We hope the new administration would dedicate enough effort to find a solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on a two-state basis” Jumblat said in his letter, explaining that this would accomplish the Palestinians' dream of having an independent nation.

The PSP leader also called on President Obama to play an active role in the “Lebanese state's project” through supporting the army and enabling it to perform its patriotic duties and responsibilities.