Jumblat: Hizbullah's Fighting in Syria Did Not Bring Terrorism to Lebanon

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed on Sunday that Lebanon is facing the danger of terrorism given the clashes between the army and the al-Nusra Front gunmen in the eastern region of Arsal near the border with Syria.

He said during a tour of the Deir Qoubel and Choueifat regions: "Hizbullah's fighting in Syria did not bring about the threat of terrorism to Lebanon."

“We should rise above all internal disputes and pointless debates and support the army and security forces and agencies in their battle against the armed groups and takfiri movements," he added before the crowds.

“I salute the martyrs of the Lebanese army and the residents of Arsal, who backed the soldiers in confronting those armed groups,” he added.

“I salute all of the sacrifices of the security forces and army in previous battles that have taken place in the northern city of Tripoli and southern city of Sidon,” he continued.

“We have no alternative but to support the state, starting with the army,” declared Jumblat.

“We need dialogue among all political powers in order to put a halt to the terrorism that is threatening Lebanon,” he later added.

“I hope that we may come to an end to the pointless political debates over the presidency in order to elect a president and assert the foundations of the state in order for it to perform its duties,” he stressed.

Clashes erupted on Saturday between the army and al-Nusra Front in Arsal following the arrest of a prominent member of the armed group.

Eight soldiers were killed in the unrest and a number of others were wounded.

Some 20 security forces members were taken captive during the fighting.

Lebanon has been without a president since May when the term of Michel Suleiman ended.

The ongoing disputes between the rival March 8 and 14 camps over a consensual presidential candidate has thwarted the elections.