Jumblat: I Will not Run for Elections Under Orthodox Gathering Law; Assad is Schizophrenic

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblat assured that he will not wage the parliamentary elections under the controversial Orthodox Gathering draft-law, assuring that it's better for political parties to agree on a law that pleases all parties, the pan Arab Asharq al-Awsat daily reported Thursday.

In an interview with the daily, Jumblat disagreed with sayings that the Christian politicians in Lebanon made an unprecedented stance uniting on the Orthodox draft-law.

He said: “The independent Christian politicians and President Michel Suleiman rejected the law. There is no consensus on it.”

Warning against a delay in the elections and against the repercussions of the Syrian crisis that is reflected on political life in Lebanon, the Progressive Socialist Party leader said: “It's better to agree on an electoral law and to hold the elections on time. We could have a new impartial cabinet or a technocrat government instead of driving the country into a dark tunnel.”

Warning against political reasons to postpone the elections, Jumblat said that technical reasons could push for a delay and could be necessary to introduce the Lebanese to the new electoral law if it was adopted by parliament.

The rival parties are yet to agree on a draft-law after the adoption of the Orthodox Gathering proposal by the joint parliamentary committees, which drew a sharp debate among the opposition's factions and with foes.

Failure to reach common ground on an electoral law, prompted Suleiman and Prime Minister Najib Miqati to sign an electoral decree setting elections on June 9 based on the 1960 law of the winner-takes-all system.

Jumblat pointed to the attempts of the Free Patriotic Movement to postpone the elections for political reasons, he said: “when I hear the FPM's statements and their insistence on the Orthodox Gathering draft-law ... I sense intentions of postponing the elections politically.

“On the other hand I do not know the real intentions of the Lebanese Forces party,” which has also approved the Orthodox proposal at the joint parliamentary committees meeting.

Discouraging a political postponement of the polls, Jumbalt said: “This would drive the country into the unknown, and give the international community an idea that we cannot run the elections on schedule. It would be a severe blow to the Lebanese economy.”

On the Syrian crisis and the Western community's stance, mainly the U.S., Jumblat criticized the latter's failure to provide the Syrian rebels with weapons instead of humanitarian aid.

He said: “They want to provide humanitarian aid, under the pretext of not giving arms to so-called extremists in the Syrian Revolution.”

“Prolonging the epoch of the regime leads to sectarian divisions. I am convinced that there is a conspiracy against the unity of Syria,” he added.

He added “the United States seems to care less about the fate of the Orient. Its primary concern is to protect Israel. Syria used to be a fundamental force in the face of Israel and the center of gravity in the Arab-Israeli equation, and now is being destroyed. The Americans and Israelis are watching.”

Describing Syrian President Bashar Assad as “schizophrenic,” Jumblat said: “He lives in another world. He ignores the fact that there are tens of thousands of people dead and missing and only describes them as terrorists. No solution but to overthrow the regime.”

On fears that the Syrian crisis could be reflected on Lebanon, in light of some clashes that erupt every now and then in the northern city of Tripoli and the jittery situation in the southern city of Sidon, the Druze leader said: “Yes I have fears. Beginning with Tripoli, some politicians are making a big mistake by funding some extremist groups. Similarly some Arab countries are also making a mistake by backing (Salafist cleric Sheikh Ahmed) al-Assir in his tense rhetoric insulting Shiite leaders.

“Political dispute in Lebanon can only be addressed through dialogue. Hizbullah must inform the Iranian leadership to re-target the rifle against Israel not to defend the Syrian regime,” Jumblat added.