Jumblat: I Prefer Suicide over a Reconciliation with Assad

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat stressed that he “will never reconcile with Syrian President Bashar Assad,” and that a reconciliation will mean his political end.

“I prefer to commit suicide on my own terms instead of going to Syria and shake hands with Assad,” said the MP in an interview to Carnegie Middle East Center on Thursday.

“A reconciliation will mean my political end,” he added.

Jumblat pointed out that his major concern today is “survival”, he said: “My only purpose is survival, and hopefully I have delivered this message to my son. Survival means having good relations with the different political components in the country, mainly Hizbullah. That is the safest way for the Druze community to survive and preserve what they still have politically and demographically.”

He expressed sorrow that his ally al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri is facing difficulties, he said: “My strongest ally is getting weaker everyday and I don't know why. It is very sad.”

On the presidential impasse, Jumblat ruled out the possibility that a solution will be reached in the near future, he stated: “The two major regional powers who can deliver a president are of course Iran and Syria. We must not underestimate the power of Bashar and his ability to spoil things. They plan to dominate the rebel-controlled regions in Syria, so when they succeed in achieving that, then they can impose a new tutelage on Lebanon and under new conditions maybe.”

He pointed out that some officials in the Maronite community are unaware that the constitution can be amended to their disadvantage, he said: “The other side does not care, they have total control inside their communities. Don’t tell me that they don’t profit from divisions among the Christians. And even among the Sunnis they have their own militias and influence, and among the Druze as well.”