President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, met with former Progressive Socialist Party Chief Walid Jumblatt, accompanied by current PSP leader, MP Taymour Jumblatt, who visited him at Baabda Palace this afternoon, with talks centering on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.
On emerging, Jumblatt spoke to attending reporters, indicating that he reviewed some points in his meeting with the President.
Referring to the issue of negotiations, Jumblatt said, "His Excellency and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were accused of treason. Negotiations are legitimate if they are based on known principles. The President's oath of office is based on the Armistice Agreement, the Taif Agreement, and international resolutions. This is the starting point if negotiation is necessary, and negotiation is a legitimate means internationally." He continued to stress that refusing to negotiate just for the sake of refusing negotiations and using Lebanon as a battleground is "unacceptable."
Jumblatt added that he tackled a very important point regarding shelter centers during his discussions with President Aoun. He said, "I thank all the authorities that address this issue, but more is needed, yes, much more. Will the matter be resolved in a few days? Personally, I prefer that we remain vigilant because it could be a long process, and once it's over, it's over...But given that global conditions are heading towards this chaos and near-chaos, it is best for us to take precautionary measures. I commend the supportive communities, the security services, and the army, and I am surprised that, in the midst of this crisis, some are attacking the army; this is illogical and unreasonable...These are some of the points I discussed with His Excellency the President."
In response to a question about the acceptance of negotiations by the Lebanese parties and their rejection by the Israeli side, the former PSP Chief said: "I have already answered this. We proceed from the Armistice Agreement, the Taif Agreement, and international resolutions. And who said that in the West Bank, the Israelis want to negotiate? They are destroying and occupying. But then what? I've been through this before. About 44 years ago, in 1982, we faced different circumstances, but there was an Israeli invasion that reached Beirut. And then what? Back then, we could have a rational conversation with the American envoy to Lebanon, Philip Habib, who was of Lebanese origin. We hope that we can have a rational conversation with the American Ambassador, Mr. Michel Issa, who is also of Lebanese origin. We hope so."
Asked about Israel's condition for negotiations, namely the disarmament of Hezbollah, Jumblatt replied: "We are not employees of the Israeli government. We are fulfilling our duties as a state, and we have done so and will continue to do so. But today, our duties include internal security, dialogue, and providing for all the needs of the displaced. I suggested to His Excellency the President that we provide prefabricated houses; this is better because tents are humiliating and remind us of Palestine in 1949. Let's request prefabricated houses, and the people of the South will return to their villages when the war ends. There is nothing to fear."
In response to a question about Lebanon being left isolated at the end of the war with Iran, Jumblatt said: "Previously, there was no justification for the American aggression or attack on Iran. I base my words on what the Omani Foreign Minister said about two weeks ago. He said quite frankly that we were close to reaching an agreement. So why did the aggression and attack happen? This is strange because this attack, unfortunately, exposed and continues to expose the entire Gulf region to near-destruction. We hope that there will be more seriousness this time."
When asked if there were armed groups of Druze sheikhs ready for confrontation, Jumblatt replied: "No one is armed. We are protected by the state and the security services, and no one is armed."
President Aoun was also briefed by Army Chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, on the general security situation in the country, particularly that of the southern region in light of news about Israel’s escalation.
In this connection, the President requested strengthening security measures in various Lebanese regions, especially in Beirut, and ensuring the safety and security of refuge shelters.
On emerging, Jumblatt spoke to attending reporters, indicating that he reviewed some points in his meeting with the President.
Referring to the issue of negotiations, Jumblatt said, "His Excellency and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam were accused of treason. Negotiations are legitimate if they are based on known principles. The President's oath of office is based on the Armistice Agreement, the Taif Agreement, and international resolutions. This is the starting point if negotiation is necessary, and negotiation is a legitimate means internationally." He continued to stress that refusing to negotiate just for the sake of refusing negotiations and using Lebanon as a battleground is "unacceptable."
Jumblatt added that he tackled a very important point regarding shelter centers during his discussions with President Aoun. He said, "I thank all the authorities that address this issue, but more is needed, yes, much more. Will the matter be resolved in a few days? Personally, I prefer that we remain vigilant because it could be a long process, and once it's over, it's over...But given that global conditions are heading towards this chaos and near-chaos, it is best for us to take precautionary measures. I commend the supportive communities, the security services, and the army, and I am surprised that, in the midst of this crisis, some are attacking the army; this is illogical and unreasonable...These are some of the points I discussed with His Excellency the President."
In response to a question about the acceptance of negotiations by the Lebanese parties and their rejection by the Israeli side, the former PSP Chief said: "I have already answered this. We proceed from the Armistice Agreement, the Taif Agreement, and international resolutions. And who said that in the West Bank, the Israelis want to negotiate? They are destroying and occupying. But then what? I've been through this before. About 44 years ago, in 1982, we faced different circumstances, but there was an Israeli invasion that reached Beirut. And then what? Back then, we could have a rational conversation with the American envoy to Lebanon, Philip Habib, who was of Lebanese origin. We hope that we can have a rational conversation with the American Ambassador, Mr. Michel Issa, who is also of Lebanese origin. We hope so."
Asked about Israel's condition for negotiations, namely the disarmament of Hezbollah, Jumblatt replied: "We are not employees of the Israeli government. We are fulfilling our duties as a state, and we have done so and will continue to do so. But today, our duties include internal security, dialogue, and providing for all the needs of the displaced. I suggested to His Excellency the President that we provide prefabricated houses; this is better because tents are humiliating and remind us of Palestine in 1949. Let's request prefabricated houses, and the people of the South will return to their villages when the war ends. There is nothing to fear."
In response to a question about Lebanon being left isolated at the end of the war with Iran, Jumblatt said: "Previously, there was no justification for the American aggression or attack on Iran. I base my words on what the Omani Foreign Minister said about two weeks ago. He said quite frankly that we were close to reaching an agreement. So why did the aggression and attack happen? This is strange because this attack, unfortunately, exposed and continues to expose the entire Gulf region to near-destruction. We hope that there will be more seriousness this time."
When asked if there were armed groups of Druze sheikhs ready for confrontation, Jumblatt replied: "No one is armed. We are protected by the state and the security services, and no one is armed."
President Aoun was also briefed by Army Chief, General Rodolphe Haykal, on the general security situation in the country, particularly that of the southern region in light of news about Israel’s escalation.
In this connection, the President requested strengthening security measures in various Lebanese regions, especially in Beirut, and ensuring the safety and security of refuge shelters.
