Jumblat Advises Miqati to Ignore U.S. Pressure, Calls for Calm Dialogue on Hizbullah Arms

Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has urged all Lebanese political parties to use a calmer political rhetoric to prevent any clashes between foes.

He addressed caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri in remarks to As Safir daily on Friday, asking him if he sees any solution to the issue of Hizbullah’s arms except for “calm and rational dialogue.”

In reference to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, Jumblat said he is convinced that some politicians close to Hariri do not want the Mustaqbal movement leader to reach a settlement with the March 8 forces.

The head of the National Struggle Front parliamentary bloc also asked Premier-designate Najib Miqati to speed up the process of the formation of the cabinet disregarding the alleged U.S. pressure which in Jumblat’s opinion is not going to stop.

He urged the political parties in Lebanon to help Miqati accomplish his task successfully.

Jumblat visited Damascus on Thursday along with Caretaker Minister Gazi Aridi, where he met with the assistant of the Syrian president’s deputy. The two men returned to Beirut later that night.