Jumblat Blames Vacuum on 'Byzantine Differences,' Regional Factors

Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat blamed the vacuum at Baabda Palace on the differences among Christian leaders and ruled out a deal between Iran and Arab countries to bring about a compromise candidate.

“Internal Byzantine differences are making us incapable of electing a president,” Jumblat told pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat in an interview published on Wednesday.

“At the same time there is an essential conflict – Hizbullah and major political parties will not give up their support for the candidacy of (Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel) Aoun,” he said.

“We are in a vicious cycle,” he said.

The PSP chief stressed that the local differences among the rival parties and regional conditions have left Baabda vacant since President Michel Suleiman's six-year term ended in May 2014.

“I don't foresee any Arab-Iranian deal for a settlement similar to Suleiman's election,” he said.

Suleiman was elected by the parliament in 2008 after Qatar mediated with Iran and Syria, Jumblat added.

Asked about the security situation in the country, the lawmaker said: “I disagree with those claiming that the Islamic State group and al-Nusra Front will attack Lebanon.”

“We should preserve our borders and defend them but I don't think a danger is looming,” he said.

IS and al-Nusra militants are hiding on the porous border between Lebanon and Syria and occasionally try to infiltrate Lebanese territories.

Their danger rose in August last year when they overran the northeastern border town of Arsal and took Lebanese servicemen captive during deadly gunbattles with the army.

G.K.

H.K.