Jumblatt calls for defense strategy that utilizes Hizbullah΄s military power
Source: Nowlebanon.com, 15-9-2008
PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt said that all political parties should enter the national dialogue willing to listen to the opinions of others. Jumblatt also called for a "calm, scientific, and objective dialogue," that steered clear of tension, so as to restore national unity and live up to the expectations of the people of Lebanon.
Jumblatt told al-Anbaa newspaper on Monday that because the coming period would be difficult, the country's political leaders had to, at once, embrace openness and block the attempts of others to instigate conflict. Jumblatt said it was critical that dialogue have enough space to formulate a national defense strategy that confronted the "Israeli" enemy. The strategy must utilize Hizbullah's military power, while cementing the legitimacy of the state as the sole arbiter of all decisions regarding war and peace, Jumblatt said. He said the strategy must also maintain the truce that brought an end to the 2006 July war without implying peace with "Israel".
Jumblatt said that these principles should guide the dialogue, which starts on Tuesday. The people of Lebanon are worried about their country's future, and look forward for the time when the state is able to protect them in such a dangerous and inflamed part of the world, Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt also called on the cabinet to strengthen security measures after last Wednesday's assassination of Lebanese Democratic Party official Saleh Aridi. "This begins with unifying the security decision and establishing a central operating bureau headed by the president or someone he delegates, to follow up possible security developments," Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt said that the ongoing reconciliations process in some regions of the country would help the job of the security forces and allow them to perform their duties without any expectations. Jumblatt said the priority must be to bring those who break the law to justice, rather than focus on narrow political arguments.
PSP leader MP Walid Jumblatt said that all political parties should enter the national dialogue willing to listen to the opinions of others. Jumblatt also called for a "calm, scientific, and objective dialogue," that steered clear of tension, so as to restore national unity and live up to the expectations of the people of Lebanon.
Jumblatt told al-Anbaa newspaper on Monday that because the coming period would be difficult, the country's political leaders had to, at once, embrace openness and block the attempts of others to instigate conflict. Jumblatt said it was critical that dialogue have enough space to formulate a national defense strategy that confronted the "Israeli" enemy. The strategy must utilize Hizbullah's military power, while cementing the legitimacy of the state as the sole arbiter of all decisions regarding war and peace, Jumblatt said. He said the strategy must also maintain the truce that brought an end to the 2006 July war without implying peace with "Israel".
Jumblatt said that these principles should guide the dialogue, which starts on Tuesday. The people of Lebanon are worried about their country's future, and look forward for the time when the state is able to protect them in such a dangerous and inflamed part of the world, Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt also called on the cabinet to strengthen security measures after last Wednesday's assassination of Lebanese Democratic Party official Saleh Aridi. "This begins with unifying the security decision and establishing a central operating bureau headed by the president or someone he delegates, to follow up possible security developments," Jumblatt said.
Jumblatt said that the ongoing reconciliations process in some regions of the country would help the job of the security forces and allow them to perform their duties without any expectations. Jumblatt said the priority must be to bring those who break the law to justice, rather than focus on narrow political arguments.
