MP Walid Jumblatt says he did not betray memory of Rafiq Hariri, calls for reconciliation conference

The head of the National Struggle Front in Lebanon MP Walid Jumblatt called on Monday for a reconciliation conference to face the repercussions of the indictment in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri’s case.

Jumblatt stressed that he has not betrayed the memory of slain premier Rafiq Hariri. "A lot of new angels want to portray me as if I betrayed the memory of Rafiq Hariri. I did not, and I will not betray him. However, I believe that civil peace is in danger and we may start with a tribunal and its repercussions and end somewhere else."

He explained that stability and justice should go together, because should justice lead to instability we would not be doing justice to Rafiq Hariri. "I am with justice and stability but sometimes it is better to forget about truth for the sake of stability," he added.

The Progressive Socialist Party leader he has the right to question the credibility of the tribunal, when all its secrets are leaked. He warned against employing the indictment in efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

Addressing MP Bahia Hariri, the sister of the slain premier, Jumblatt said "it is true that tons of spite had killed Rafiq Hariri, but bigger tons of spite might explode following the recent release of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon indictment." He called upon former Prime Minister Saad Hariri to launch a dialogue with Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Speaker Nabih Berri.

Jumblatt said that Prime Minister Najib Miqati's government is committed to the international resolutions. He spoke of a campaign to strip Miqati of his patriotism and Sunni identity. "Before Prime Minister Najib Miqati was nominated, someone had at least agreed on preventing the domestic repercussions of the indictment," Jumblatt said, referring to former premier Saad Hariri, the slain premier's son.

Yet, Jumblatt said he would oppose that the government confront the international community by severing Lebanon’s ties with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. "It will be a big mistake if we cut ties with the tribunal, halt funding the body and withdraw Lebanese judges," he said. "The tribunal is functioning with or without us," he noted.

Jumblatt also called upon Lebanese factions to resume dialogue to tackle thorny issues, including the Resistance arms. "I’m optimistic because one day we will reach an agreement and these arms will become in the possession of the Lebanese State and I’m not afraid of time," he said.

Jumblatt stressed that the Lebanese government had the right to carry out appointments without resorting to vengeful and spiteful practices.