NOW Lebanon- Jumblatt says debates over STL change nothing , December 4, 2011

Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt said on Sunday that debates about the Special Tribunal for Lebanon and the “false witnesses” between former premier Saad Hariri and Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah  “do not change anything.”

He also said that Nasrallah’s statements about the false witnesses “are useless,” adding that Hariri’s response to the former “are neither useful nor positive.”

In a press conference on the commemoration of the birthday of his late father, Kamal Jumblatt, the PSP leader said that it is unlikely and “unacceptable” for Hezbollah to involve itself in domestic disputes.

“[Hezbollah’s arms] must only be used to defend Lebanon.”

On Thursday, Nasrallah urged Prime Minister Najib Mikati to address in cabinet the issue of witnesses who gave unreliable testimonies to the international commission investigating the 2005 Rafik Hariri murder. 

Nasrallah also said his party rejects the STL and its funding, adding, however “We will make the country’s interests a priority.”

Hariri fired back saying “a thousand speeches” similar to Nasrallah’s speech would not be enough to cancel the Lebanese government’s recognition of the UN-backed court.

Commenting on the Syrian situation, Jumblatt said that “uncontrolled armed actions” are taking place in Syria.

“This can lead to negative repercussions. The Arab League initiative is the salvation for Syria. There is no magic formula in which the [current] regime falls and another takes over.”

The Druze leader also urged Druze in Syria to not get involved in “acts of murder and suppression” against their brothers in Daraa, Homs and other Syrian areas.

“The authority in Syria is making use of [military] recruits and sending them to [Syrian areas like] Daraa and other places to get killed.”

He also said that there “is a big difference” between the Syrian army and the Shabeeha (thugs) militants who are harming the Syrian army and authority.