Jumblat 'Saddened' by Nasrallah's Speech: Hybrid Law Eases Political, Religious Monopolization of Power

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stated that the political powers “without exception” can reach an agreement over the hybrid parliamentary electoral law, while voicing his disappointment with Hizbullah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah's latest speech, reported As Safir newspaper Friday.

He told the daily: “The hybrid law can help ease the political and religious monopolization of power.”

He stressed the importance of staging the elections as scheduled on June 16, adding that failure to do so demonstrates the political leaderships' shortcomings.

He therefore rejected the possibility of extending the current parliament's term, as well as that of President Michel Suleiman or any other authority.

The elections can be staged based on the hybrid law that combines the winner-takes-all and proportional representation systems, noted the MP.

On efforts to reach an agreement over a new electoral law, Jumblat denied claims of differences with Speaker Nabih Berri over this issue.

“All sides are in agreement over the hybrid law, all that remains is an agreement over the division of seats between the two systems,” he said.

He noted that the March 8 is seeking the election of 50 percent of the MPs based on the winner-takes-all system and the rest based on the other, while his National Struggle Front proposed that 70 percent of lawmakers be elected based on the first system and 30 based on the other.

The Mustaqbal bloc suggested that 60 MPs be elected based on the winner-takes-all system and 40 percent on proportional representation.

“We have not reached a dead-end over this issue and with the right efforts we may reach a formula that enjoys consensus and succeed in holding the elections,” he remarked.

He explained that his contacts with Berri, Hizbullah, and all powers are ongoing to that end.

“An agreement is not impossible, but each camp should make small concessions,” said the PSP leader.

The elections must be held and failure to do so will demonstrate that we are victims of the Syrian crisis, declared Jumblat.

The political powers have so far failed to reach an agreement over a new vote, threatening to postpone the elections.

Addressing Premier-designate Tammam Salam's efforts to form a new government, he denied claims that a “de facto” cabinet will be formed, saying: “Governments always take a long time to be formed in Lebanon, so let us wait a while.”

“The PM-designate has never said that he is seeking a de facto cabinet, but one of national interests,” he stressed.

“All sides must be realistic and we must respect Salam's efforts and give him the freedom of movement to form a cabinet,” he said.

He rejected attempts to impose impossible conditions on Salam “because they will only obstruct his efforts and not yield any results.”

“All sides must realize that they must facilitate his efforts,” Jumblat emphasized.

“I decided to facilitate his efforts and I am seeking to bolster the representation of centrists in the government,” he explained.

“Some sides are seeking to usurp all of the representation at cabinet and they do not want to recognize the political sizes of other powers,” he revealed.

The PSP leader said that he is seeking to bolster his centrist role along with President Michel Suleiman, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati, and Salam.

Asked by As Safir if he had set as a condition that the Free Patriotic Movement not be granted the energy and telecommunications portfolios in the new government, Jumblat responded: “I only proposed that the ministries that contain the country's wealth should be handed to safe hands.”

“These ministries should be kept away from political disputes that are taking place at the expense of a whole generation of Lebanese people,” he said.

“The revenue made from these ministries should help lessen Lebanon's public debt,” he stressed.

The prime minister-designate has repeatedly said that he is hoping to establish a cabinet of national interests capable of staging the parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for June 16.

The March 8 camp is seeking the formation of a political cabinet, while the rival March 14 alliance is demanding the establishment of a neutral one.

Commenting on the Syrian crisis, Jumblat asserted that the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad will collapse.

“Regardless of how much support he receives from the Iran, the oppressor cannot remain in power,” he declared.

“The Iranians are only delaying the inevitable,” he stressed.

“Instead of backing the oppressor, the Islamic republic must support the weak and Palestinian cause that it claims to support,” he noted.

“It is very unfortunate that Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has opted to back the regime and it is even more unfortunate that his arms, which were directed against Israel, are now fighting alongside a dying regime,” he lamented.

“I was saddened when I heard his recent speech because the Sayyed. who was a hero in the Arab and Islamic worlds in 2006, is insisting on ruining his reputation,” he said.

“Why is he insisting on defending a dying regime. Iran's policy is leading the Arab world and Syria to destruction,” he stated.

Nasrallah said on Tuesday that the party had been taking part in the fighting Syria, saying that members were defending Lebanese border regions from attacks from Syria.

He also said that fighters are defending holy places in the country, explaining: “Armed groups are only hundreds of meters away from the Sayyeda Zainab shrine and Takfirist groups launched clear threats on the Internet that they will destroy the shrine should they enter the area."