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BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt said Monday it was a “mistake” to confront the international community by severing Lebanon’s ties with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, adding that justice, which he linked to stability, could be postponed.
“It will be a big mistake if we [Lebanon] cut ties with the tribunal, halt funding the body and withdraw Lebanese judges, the tribunal is functioning with or without us,” Jumblatt said in a televised interview.
The PSP leader called for holding a conference for reconciliation between the Future Movement and Hezbollah. “Is there a way for holding a conference or a meeting for reconciliation, transparency or maybe forgiving?”
Jumblatt, who called upon former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to talk with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri, voiced his fear that the STL would be used by western and regional powers to crush Hezbollah. “I am afraid that this will lead to strife.”
“Why won’t any individual feel suspicious about the tribunal when all its secrets are leaked?” Jumblatt asked.
The STL, established by the U.N. to try the assassins of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others issued its indictment and arrest warrants against four Hezbollah members on June 30.
Hezbollah has over a year dismissed the court as an “Israeli project” targeting the resistance. The party had repeatedly denied any involvement in the assassination. Following the release of the indictment, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah refused to hand the indicted members, saying no one could reach them even after “300 years.”
“I am against this language, Nasrallah should tell them present me with evidence you have.”
Addressing MP Bahia Hariri, the sister of late Rafik Hariri, Jumblatt said that “it is right that tons of hatred have killed Rafik Hariri, but now the indictment was released and I have to warn that there might be a bigger gap that would incite more hatred.”
“There are two types of justice, that of international tribunals that might be affected by states’ interests, and there is the justice of fate, I believe in the justice of fate,” he said.
“No right could be lost and justice could be postponed, the tribunal is for achieving justice but I link justice to stability,” Jumblatt said.
The PSP chief said that the policy statement of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s Cabinet was clear in its commitment and respect of international resolutions.
“There is a campaign to take Prime Minister Mikati away from his nationalism and consider him not a Sunni,” he said.
“Before Mikati, someone had minimum accepted to contain the repercussions of the indictment,” he added.
Jumblatt called upon Lebanese factions to resume dialogue to tackle thorny issues, and especially Hezbollah’s arms.
“You have to sit with a fundamental component in Lebanon [Hezbollah] and engage in dialogue [to reach a solution for the arms],” he said.
“The issue of arms should be discussed quietly and is aimed at Israel,” Jumblatt said.
As for the unrest in Syria, Jumblatt highlighted the significance of the dialogue conference which was held Sunday in Damascus, stressing the need for reform in Syria.
“It will be a big mistake if we [Lebanon] cut ties with the tribunal, halt funding the body and withdraw Lebanese judges, the tribunal is functioning with or without us,” Jumblatt said in a televised interview.
The PSP leader called for holding a conference for reconciliation between the Future Movement and Hezbollah. “Is there a way for holding a conference or a meeting for reconciliation, transparency or maybe forgiving?”
Jumblatt, who called upon former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to talk with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri, voiced his fear that the STL would be used by western and regional powers to crush Hezbollah. “I am afraid that this will lead to strife.”
“Why won’t any individual feel suspicious about the tribunal when all its secrets are leaked?” Jumblatt asked.
The STL, established by the U.N. to try the assassins of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and others issued its indictment and arrest warrants against four Hezbollah members on June 30.
Hezbollah has over a year dismissed the court as an “Israeli project” targeting the resistance. The party had repeatedly denied any involvement in the assassination. Following the release of the indictment, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah refused to hand the indicted members, saying no one could reach them even after “300 years.”
“I am against this language, Nasrallah should tell them present me with evidence you have.”
Addressing MP Bahia Hariri, the sister of late Rafik Hariri, Jumblatt said that “it is right that tons of hatred have killed Rafik Hariri, but now the indictment was released and I have to warn that there might be a bigger gap that would incite more hatred.”
“There are two types of justice, that of international tribunals that might be affected by states’ interests, and there is the justice of fate, I believe in the justice of fate,” he said.
“No right could be lost and justice could be postponed, the tribunal is for achieving justice but I link justice to stability,” Jumblatt said.
The PSP chief said that the policy statement of Prime Minister Najib Mikati’s Cabinet was clear in its commitment and respect of international resolutions.
“There is a campaign to take Prime Minister Mikati away from his nationalism and consider him not a Sunni,” he said.
“Before Mikati, someone had minimum accepted to contain the repercussions of the indictment,” he added.
Jumblatt called upon Lebanese factions to resume dialogue to tackle thorny issues, and especially Hezbollah’s arms.
“You have to sit with a fundamental component in Lebanon [Hezbollah] and engage in dialogue [to reach a solution for the arms],” he said.
“The issue of arms should be discussed quietly and is aimed at Israel,” Jumblatt said.
As for the unrest in Syria, Jumblatt highlighted the significance of the dialogue conference which was held Sunday in Damascus, stressing the need for reform in Syria.
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