Jumblat Denies he Would Personally Consult Lebanese Foes on PSP Initiative

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said on Monday that he would not personally make contacts with March 8 majority and opposition members as part of a PSP initiative to resolve the country's political crisis.

In remarks to As Safir newspaper, Jumblat confirmed that the PSP and his National Struggle Front bloc would launch an initiative to lure back the March 14 opposition alliance to the national dialogue table and seek the formation of a national salvation government.

But he said he will not personally make direct contacts with the concerned March 8 and March 14 officials.

Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi, who is loyal to Jumblat, told al-Joumhouria newspaper that the initiative aims at steering the country clear of strife.

“The issue is not linked to us alone. There are other parties that should seek a solution,” he said, adding “we will exert all our efforts to ensure the success of the endeavor.”

“So far we haven't contacted anyone,” Aridi said.

Lebanon plunged in a political crisis on Oct. 19 when Internal Security Forces Intelligence Branch chief Wissam al-Hasan was assassinated.

March 14 boycotted the parliament after it blamed Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government for the killing and said it would not sit at the same dialogue table with Hizbullah.