Report: Jumblat-Hizbullah Contacts Ongoing despite MP’s Repeated Attack against Party’s Arsenal

Ties between Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat and Hizbullah have not been severed despite the recent criticism launched by the MP against the party and its weapons’ arsenal, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Wednesday.

Hizbullah sources told the newspaper that contacts between the two sides are ongoing, especially between Jumblat and party chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah.

The contacts have continued between Hizbullah Liaison and Coordination Officer Wafiq Safa and National Struggle Front Minister Ghazi al-Aridi on the one hand, and Jumblat and Safa on the other.

The sources denied however that a meeting between the top March 8 camp leaders would be held anytime soon, saying that the political advisors of each of Nasrallah, Speaker Nabih Berri, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun, and Jumblat are performing the necessary work.

A meeting could be arranged between the leaders should the need arise given the “very critical security situation.”

Meanwhile, al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Wednesday that Jumblat is “begrudgingly” maintaining ties with Hizbullah, first, over his keenness to avert the reoccurrence of the events of May 7, 2008 and second, because of his conviction that chaos in Lebanon “could eliminate everything.”

“The greatest loser in any chaos will be the camp that does not enjoy great military and organizational powers like Hizbullah’s,” said the report.

The March 8 camp is also not taking into consideration Jumblat’s criticism against Hizbullah, saying that the real test of the MP’s loyalty lies in his political practices through his preservation of the government and internal balances.

“Jumblat’s repeated attacks against the party are the price he has to pay in order to regain Saudi Arabia’s favor,” said the March 8 sources.

On August 11, Jumblat slammed “the obscure army, people, and resistance slogan” advocated by Hizbullah, saying it “can no longer persist at the expense of the state, army, security, and economy.”

He added: “There can be no room for diversity and room for Lebanon away from the Iranian-Syrian alliance should the March 8 forces be victorious in the elections.”

The PSP leader had repeatedly demanded that Hizbullah’s arms be incorporated in a national defense strategy.