Jumblat: Assad's Collapse Doesn't Mean Hizbullah will Hand over Arms

Leader of the National Struggle Front bloc Walid Jumblat said on Friday that the collapse of Syrian President Bashar Assad will not make Hizbullah hand over its weapons as the March 14 alliance believes, assuring that the price will not be less than a new Taef agreement.

Jumblat called on all political powers to follow President Michel Suleiman's calls for a defense strategy stressing the necessity to avoid strife, he told As-Safir daily in an interview.

The Progressive Socialist Party leader criticized the stances of some political factions and the heated rhetoric adopted by some al-Mustaqbal party officials following the assassination of Internal Security Forces Information Bureau chief Wissam al-Hasan.

Hasan was assassinated in a massive bomb in October. His assassination was blamed on Syria and March 14 accused the government of PM Najib Miqati for covering the crime.

The alliances called for the resignation of the cabinet and boycotted all parliamentary activities.

A solution for the Lebanese crisis can only come form inside Lebanon, stressed Jumblat, noting that any help from other countries, similar to the Doha agreement in 2008 brokered by Saudi Arabia, is not possible now in light of the current circumstances.

Denouncing al-Mustaqbal movement's rejection for dialogue, Jumblat urged political powers to gather for talks to distance Lebanon from conflicts, adding “in order to topple the government and form a new one, parties should agree to unconditional dialogue,” he said.

“Parties concerned for Lebanon's stability should back Suleiman's role to preserve civil peace,” he said, stressing the necessity to distance Lebanon from regional conflicts in light of the looming parliamentary elections.

On the Syrian revolution, Jumblat has almost lost the enthusiasm and support he had before, according to the daily. He fears for Syria's unity now and its role in the region as a result of massive destruction sweeping its civilization and culture.

On calls to postpone the 2013 parliamentary elections, Jumblat said “there is no need to postpone the elections if the situation remained stable,” he said.

Joint parliamentary committees have formed an electoral subcommittee to study the disputed issues concerning the electoral draft law despite sharp difference among the political foes over the matter.

On the other hand, Jumblat voiced concerns over the economic situation in Lebanon, stressing that the risks are comparable to the risk of civil peace. The time of economic boom has gone and we need a policy of austerity. Lebanon needs to save itself, he concluded.

Preventing an economic explosion is the responsibility of all political forces, said Jumblat, but he invited Hizbullah to contribute to saving Lebanon.