Jumblatt: Henry Helo will remain our presidential candidate

The head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt stressed that a president can only be elected when the Lebanese political powers reach an agreement over a candidate, stressing that his candidate will remain MP Henry Helo, “since he represents a centrist party.”

In a statement with “The Voice of Russia” radio station, Jumblatt revealed that he would have preferred the reelection of President Michel Sleiman, pointing out that the extension of latter’s term for six or seven months would have been an insult to the Lebanese people.

The MP added that he supports Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah in his call on the Lebanese to reach agreement and elect a new president, calling on him to meet with political leaders in order to find a solution for the current impasse.

Commenting on his relation with Hezbollah, Jumblatt said that his dispute with the Shiite party is “democratic,” explaining that each party has its own political perspective. He denied any recent contact with Nasrallah.

On another note, the PSP leader noted that the Syrian refugees do not pose an existential risk on Lebanon, reiterating the need to take into consideration their difficult humanitarian conditions.

On Iraq, Jumblatt expressed concern over the latest developments, raising questions regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal of the Iraqi army troops from the city of Mosul.