He said that if there is failure to adopt a defense strategy that would absorb the resistance, then perhaps they could temporarily coexist with the "resistance" to prevent bloodshed, as long as they are clear on what Nasrallah considers to be an infringement on his security.
"I will not respond to Nasrallah, out of respect for his turban. They called me a thief and killer before. I will not respond to those kids. This is a characteristic of totalitarian parties, you are either under their command or a traitor," he said, asking, "is Wafiq Choukair worth all this?"
Jumblatt said he will remain in contact with Nabih Berri, whom he called today to relay Hariri's proposal.
He said he ordered his supporters not to engage in street fights.
"I tell my partisans to defend their homes, but not to take to the streets. Only the state can protect us," he said.
"If he wants to occupy Beirut, he can, but then what? what kind of accomplishment is that?"
"We're confused. They say it's an illegal government, but also want it to revoke its decisions," he said.
He defended the decisions and said they were not meant to target the weapons of the resistance. "We said the issue of weapons will be dealt with through internal dialogue. But we cannot allow the weapons issue to encompass every detail of Lebanese daily life."
"Hizbullah, not the Shias are responsible for what is happening," he said.
Responding to a question on why the army does not act to remove Hizbullah from the airport road, Jumblatt refused to comment on what he said was a sensitive issue, and said he understood the army's decision.
Source: From Beirut to the Beltway
Tags: Hezbollah, Lebanese Army, Muslims, Sectarian Divide, Shiites, Sunnis
