NNA - Progressive Socialist Party head, MP Taymour Jumblatt, believed that "adherence to the ceasefire agreement and the implementation of Resolution 1701 are the only ways to avoid new military conflicts that could push Lebanon back into the throes of war."
"This requires an Israeli withdrawal from the points where it remains stationed, so that the state can fully assert its authority," Jumblatt added, emphasizing that the state alone is capable of preventing any security breaches and disruption of the fragile stability in the south.
He condemned Israel's continued violations against Lebanon, hoping that the government would "follow through on the steps initiated by the presidency, in terms of strengthening state institutions that guarantee the rights of all Lebanese."
Jumblatt’s words came during a joint meeting at Al-Mukhtara Palace of the Democratic Gathering and the Progressive Socialist Party's internal representatives, devoted to discussing the general situation, regional and party affairs, and upcoming elections. Attending the meeting were: MPs Marwan Hamadeh, Akram Shehayeb, Bilal Abdallah, Raji Al-Saad, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, Wael Abu Faour, and PSP's Secretary General Dhafer Nasser, MP Jumblatt's advisor Hussam Harb, and various partisans.
On another note, MP Jumblatt received today a delegation from the Independence Movement, headed by MP Michel Moawad, who came to mark the 48th anniversary of the martyrdom of leader Kamal Jumblatt. The visit was in the presence of Democratic Gathering MPs and officials, with talks touching on the general political situation. The delegation then moved to lay a floral wreath on the tomb of Martyr Kamal Jumblatt.
In a word of tribute and respect, Moawad said: "We came today to Al-Mukhtara with our friend and former MP Jawad Boulos and a delegation of Independence Movement cadres on this anniversary, which concerns us all: the anniversary of the assassination of leader Kamal Jumblatt. It is, first and foremost, a natural visit, because what connects us to Al-Mukhtara is a relationship that transcends any political consideration, a relationship of martyrdom and a relationship of blood, for the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt laid the foundation for a period of occupation and Syrian guardianship, which expanded with the assassination of President Rene Moawad, leading to the assassination of March 14 figures and Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. At that time, we revolted to expel the Syrians from Lebanon."
He added, "This year's anniversary has a special flavor, the flavor of the prevalence of justice with the fall of the Assad regime, the arrest of the person directly responsible for carrying out the assassination of Kamal Jumblatt, and many other incidents that Lebanon has witnessed..."
"Today we remember, and at the same time, we stand up for justice," Moawad underlined.
It is to note that Jumblatt also met on Saturday with MP Nadim Gemayel, who visited Al-Mukhtara accompanied by a delegation, where they also laid a floral wreath on the shrine of Martyr Kamal Jumblatt.
============R.Sh.