Jumblatt: Continuation of Syrian crisis will lead to civil war impacting entire region

National Struggle Front leader MP Walid Jumblatt called for reaching a political solution for the Syrian crisis immediately, and warned that the continuation of the crisis will lead to a civil war that will negatively impact the whole region and create chaos on all levels.         

During a conference on international socialism held in Istanbul, Jumblatt said “whoever thinks that it is possible to reach a compromise with the familial minority that took over Syria’s economic and financial resources is delusional, especially after the regime’s extreme violence and targeting of unarmed civilians”.           

Jumblatt was surprised at how the Arab League’s initiative devolved from a comprehensive road map for ending the crisis  through troop withdrawals, the release of political detainees and disclosure of the fates of thousands of people missing, to simply calling for a daily two-hour ceasefires.          

Following his return to Beirut, Jumblatt commented on the plans suggested to address the electricity crisis in Lebanon. He stressed the necessity to search for a new approach for the whole file, particularly after the ships versus plants row erupted. He called for conducting a global bidding process based on scientific facts and paving the way for competition to include the private sector.          

Jumblatt said that he understands the motives behind the visit of the Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Crimes, David Cohen, to Beirut and he voiced his support for the implementation of sanctions against the Syrian regime.