Jumblatt: Defense Strategy to only serve Lebanon, not Hormuz

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Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt praised on Monday President Michel Suleiman’s recent stances.

In his weekly editorial in the al-Anbaa magazine Jumblatt wrote: “We are seeking arms for the defense of Lebanon only. We don’t want a defense strategy that serves the strait of Hormuz or any other area.” A possible reference to Hezbollah and its backer Iran, which has been threatening to close Hormuz if attacked by outside forces.

“It’s true that we had said in past ministerial statements that we support the cooperation of the people, army, and resistance, but clarifications should be made over how this cooperation would take place,” he wrote. This is an exact reiteration of what Suleiman told the Shouf MPs who visited him in Beiteddine last weekend

“This cooperation should be aimed against Israel and not serve any other purposes,” Jumblatt said . A possible reference to Hezbollah’s use of its “resistance” arms for political gains inside Lebanon since its 2006 war with Israel

Jumblat stressed the need for devising a defense strategy for Lebanon “that would prevent the country from once again becoming an open ground for political messages, as it did during the days of the Palestinian Liberation Organization and Syrian hegemony.”

Commenting on the visit to Lebanon by the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council  and its  chief nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili , Jumblatt noted:

“We acknowledge his security and strategic concerns, but instead of spreading weapons here and there he should have catered to the internal affairs of his country, where the price of chicken has become more expensive than rockets”.  A possible reference to the high  inflation in Iran ( about 23% ) and the  continued devaluation of the Iranian currency “Rial” both of which have reduced the purchasing power of the Iranian  people.

Commenting on Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s recent remarks that Lebanon is need of a liberation strategy in addition to a defense one, Jumblatt said: “This demand requires first and foremost the demarcation of the Lebanese-Syrian border, as stipulated during previous national dialogue sessions.”

“This will help prevent Lebanon from once again becoming a pawn in international nuclear negotiations or regional developments,” he stressed

Commenting on the Syrian crisis, Jumblatt noted: “The weapons used by the regime against its own people could have been used to liberate the occupied Golan Heights several times.”

Jalili

The Iranian official commented upon arrival on Monday at Beirut airport about the current situation in the Syria and said that “enemies of the region” did not want the Muslim community to live in security and stability.

“I think we should all work together via intensive and continuous contacts, consultations and an exchange of opinions in what serves the Muslim community and the interests of the people and countries of this region,” Jalili added.

The Iranian official headed to Beiteddine palace  to meet with  President Michel Suleiman to discuss regional and international developments as well as bilateral ties . He is expected to meet later  with  Speaker Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

An Nahar reported Sunday that Jalili is scheduled to also attend an Iranian Embassy iftar on the occasion of Quds Day, which falls on Monday. Some unconfirmed reports indicated that the visiting Iranian official like all others before him may also meet privately with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

Like Iran , Hezbollah has been supportive of the crackdown against the pro-democracy protesters by Syrian president president Bashar al Assad. Over 20,000 Syrians, mainly civilians have been killed in the 17 months uprising according to activists

Naharnet, Ya Libnan

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24 responses to “Jumblatt: Defense Strategy to only serve Lebanon, not Hormuz”

  1. I think it would be better for both Lebanon and Israel that the Lebanese army would be strong, and all heavy weapons in Lebanon would be in the Lebanese army’s hands. 

    If that would happen, Israel would have no reason to attack or to interfere in Lebanon. Learn from the process Ben Gurion did in Israel in 1948: He dismantled all of the militias (Hagana / Palmah socialists, Ezel and Lehi right wingers, Druze fighters) with the cost of one incident (Altalena ship battle). Not a single Israeli soldier was even wounded by inner fighting since Altalena. I hope Lebanon would follow the Israeli example. 

  2. I think it would be better for both Lebanon and Israel that the Lebanese army would be strong, and all heavy weapons in Lebanon would be in the Lebanese army’s hands. 

    If that would happen, Israel would have no reason to attack or to interfere in Lebanon. Learn from the process Ben Gurion did in Israel in 1948: He dismantled all of the militias (Hagana / Palmah socialists, Ezel and Lehi right wingers, Druze fighters) with the cost of one incident (Altalena ship battle). Not a single Israeli soldier was even wounded by inner fighting since Altalena. I hope Lebanon would follow the Israeli example. 

    1. Constantin7 Avatar
      Constantin7

      I hope also that we have a real peace between Israel and Lebanon for the benefit of both countries and people. I am eager to visit Jerusalem, Beit Laham, Nazareth, and other holy sites. However, you will have to accept to take the Palestinians in Lebanon back to Palestine, not necessarily to Israel but to the west bank (I am not going to say to Gaza, Gaza is crowded enough as it is). Then all the rest of the problems that presently exist are minor and can be solved if the will is there.

      PEACE ! 

      1. Thanks Constantin. I also think that the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon should be allowed to come to the future Palestinian state in the West Bank, there is no problem to build additional housing projects for them. 

        I hope all Lebanese including those who fought against Israel in the past would come to Israel as tourists, merchants or even students. My own grandfather studied in Beiruth university 90 years ago…

        Salam aleicum.

  3. Good for Walid Jumblatt!!!!….It’s about time the Lebanese stand up to those Iranian thugs…..go back to Iran, we don’t want you in Lebanon and take Hassan Nasrallah with you….and shut the door, when you leave….

  4. Good for Walid Jumblatt!!!!….It’s about time the Lebanese stand up to those Iranian thugs…..go back to Iran, we don’t want you in Lebanon and take Hassan Nasrallah with you….and shut the door, when you leave….

  5. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    Asking for the obvious!!! But again oscillating between the 14 and 8, must cost you dearly Walid, watch it.

    1. MeYosemite Avatar
      MeYosemite

      He should join march 11, but regardless he is the only one stepping up where no other politicians has dared. We see the others now copying him but very timidely.

  6. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    Asking for the obvious!!! But again oscillating between the 14 and 8, must cost you dearly Walid, watch it.

    1. MeYosemite Avatar
      MeYosemite

      He should join march 11, but regardless he is the only one stepping up where no other politicians has dared. We see the others now copying him but very timidely.

  7. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    Asking for the obvious!!! But again oscillating between the 14 and 8, must cost you dearly Walid, watch it.

    1. MeYosemite Avatar
      MeYosemite

      He should join march 11, but regardless he is the only one stepping up where no other politicians has dared. We see the others now copying him but very timidely.

  8. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    There is still a small discret Jewish community in Lebanon. They live their lives without any problem, but very discret about their religion. You cannot physically recognize them. In downtown Beirut the Abraham Synagogue is being rebuilt with the agreement of all political parties (including Hizbullah). 
    Yeah, I hope that peace happens soon, and we will be able to visit and you will be able to come and discover Lebanon the land of “milk and honey”. Not because I am Lebanese, but I do believe Lebanon is the paradise of the Middle East, especially the mountains from the extreme North to the South. Northern Israel looks a lot like Southern Lebanon, but the middle of Lebanon and the North has breathtaking views in the mountains within the gardens of fruits and the pine woods. Did you know that in the Cedars region in the north snow stays almost 9 months a year, I have visited the Cedars few times in August and continued up the mountains to go east to the Bekaa valley, there on the top you can see patches of snow in August!

    We should start a movement in Lebanon for PEACE NOW.

    But just talking with each other is a good start, at least….

      

    1. eblashko Avatar

      Beautifully said, brother. 

  9. Constantin7 Avatar
    Constantin7

    There is still a small discret Jewish community in Lebanon. They live their lives without any problem, but very discret about their religion. You cannot physically recognize them. In downtown Beirut the Abraham Synagogue is being rebuilt with the agreement of all political parties (including Hizbullah). 
    Yeah, I hope that peace happens soon, and we will be able to visit and you will be able to come and discover Lebanon the land of “milk and honey”. Not because I am Lebanese, but I do believe Lebanon is the paradise of the Middle East, especially the mountains from the extreme North to the South. Northern Israel looks a lot like Southern Lebanon, but the middle of Lebanon and the North has breathtaking views in the mountains within the gardens of fruits and the pine woods. Did you know that in the Cedars region in the north snow stays almost 9 months a year, I have visited the Cedars few times in August and continued up the mountains to go east to the Bekaa valley, there on the top you can see patches of snow in August!

    We should start a movement in Lebanon for PEACE NOW.

    But just talking with each other is a good start, at least….

      

    1. eblashko Avatar

      Beautifully said, brother. 

    2. All Israelis regardless of political views want peace with Lebanon. We already totally withdrawn from all of the Lebanese territory on May 2000. But I’m affraid Hizbullah continues to kidnap Lebanese future. Even if Israel would return the small Shebaa farms area which is disputed between Syria and Lebanon, Hizbullah might find other excuses for not disarming and continue harrasing both Israel and Lebanon. 

      The sad fact is that Lebanon today is occupied by Iran. 

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