Jumblat says he would back negotiations if they lead to Israel's withdrawal
Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat said Monday he would support the ongoing diplomatic efforts and the framework agreement if and only if they lead to an Israeli withdrawal from south Lebanon.
Jumblat told reporters after he met with President Joseph Aoun in Baabda that he would back Lebanon's negotiations with Israel "if they lead to a gradual or complete withdrawal" and a border demarcation.
The Druze leader reiterated his support for the 1949 Armistice agreement that formally ended the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
He said that he would have "no problem" if the current negotiations lead to a withdrawal and border demarcation, while criticizing spats between Hezbollah and anti-Hezbollah MPs over the Israeli war and the framework agreement in the last parliamentary session as "shameful."
In that session, Parliament granted Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government a vote of confidence despite several objections to the government's general policy. Hezbollah MPs walked out before the vote, while Amal Movement lawmakers voted in favor.
Source: Naharnet
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