NNA - House Speaker, Nabih Berri, addressed today a message marking the 48th commemoration of Druze leader Kamal Jumblatt's martyrdom, in which he said: "Brother Walid Jumblatt, to the masses of the Progressive Socialist Party, to the one who stood tall like a mountain for the sake of a progressive Arab Lebanon until the peak of martyrdom, to the leader whose legacy, thought and words never ran dry and who remained a shining beacon for generations....To the internationalist and Arab activist who believed in Lebanon, its inviolable borders, its untouchable cedars, and its eternally shining light...To the one who rejected the system of political sectarianism in favor of establishing a state of civil citizenship, equality, social justice, and preserving the unity of the nation...To the statesman who has always called for a return to the constitution and its parliamentary provisions, as applied in democratic countries...To the prominent politician, intellectual, enlightened thinker, to  the man of immortal heritage and unique imprint on Lebanon's political and national life...On this anniversary, we recall a long history of shared struggle with Walid Jumblatt for Lebanon's unity, its Arab identity, and its rejection of the Israeli occupation and its subservience to it."

Berri continued describe the relationship with Al-Mukhtara as one that stems from the reality of rejecting every occupier, adding "Together, we brought down the May 17 Agreement, and transferred Lebanon to the era of Arab resistance."

Addressing the Unitarian Druze community, Berri said: "Today, in this difficult phase that the Arab region is going through, you are called upon, as you have always been faithful to your history, to affirm your strong stance to preserve your Arab and Islamic affiliation and your commitment to being an integral part of the state, whether in Syria or Lebanon, and to always remain by the side of Palestine and its just cause and not fall into the trap of the enemy’s schemes. This has always been guaranteed by the role and position of Walid Jumblatt, entrusted with this great heritage and the sole choice of its people in this diverse and turbulent East."

“May God have mercy upon the leader Kamal Jumblatt’s soul...prolong the life of Walid Beik and guide Taymour’s steps to preserve the approach and legacy,” the Speaker concluded.

=========R.Sh.