Saturday 19 September 2009

Jumblatt: Neoconservatives Reject Cabinet Formation


Jumblatt: Neoconservatives Reject Cabinet Formation

19/09/2009 Progressive Socialist Party and Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblatt has said some Maronite leaders in Lebanon have suicidal plans and accused neoconservatives in the United States of preventing cabinet formation in Lebanon. "When some Maronite leaders in Lebanon adopt a political project," they make sure that it is fully implemented "even if that leads them to suicide," al-Akhbar daily quoted Jumblatt as telling his visitors, including a Palestinian delegation.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea and Phalange party Chief Amin Gemayel "represent such a case," Jumblatt reportedly said, adding "I don't want to commit suicide like them."

He also expressed worries about attempts by Geagea and Gemayel to push PM-designate Saad Hariri "to adopt their political project," a move that would lead to a Sunni "isolationism" that would have bad repercussions on Lebanon. "My presence near Hariri is necessary so that they don't push him in that direction," PSP leader told his guests.

Turning to the United States, Jumblatt said neoconservatives, who are holding onto major decision-making in the Obama administration, are planning to draw a new Middle East map and create new countries based on ethnic and religious affiliations.

Al-Akhbar quoted Jumblatt as saying that such plans aim at facilitating the establishment of a Jewish state and keeping Palestinians who became refugees in 1948 away from their land.

He said he was worried about what was "being prepared for the country and the region" because Lebanon is the neoconservatives' "laboratory."

On formation of the Lebanese cabinet, Jumblatt said that he contacted Cairo and inquired Egyptian officials about reports that they wanted caretaker PM Fouad Saniora as PM-designate. "They told me on the contrary that they back Hariri. And in Saudi Arabia, they said they want a national unity cabinet and support Hariri" in forming a government, Jumblatt told his guests.

He also accused the neoconservatives of rejecting formation of the unity cabinet in Lebanon. "The American team is cooperating with Arab and Lebanese sides to prevent cabinet formation by rejecting Syrian-Saudi agreement that Lebanon needs at this stage," Jumblatt stressed.

No comments: