Jumblatt says Arsal clashes have turned into an existential battle

The head of the Progressive Socialist Party MP Walid Jumblatt stressed Monday that the current situation requires utmost vigilance and awareness, pointing out that the clashes in Lebanon’s Arsal constitute an existential battle rather than a sectarian conflict.

In his weekly statement to al-Anbaa website, Jumblatt praised the stance of former PM Saad Hariri, who voiced full support for the Lebanese army, adding that “some irresponsible parties are putting the army and Lebanon in grave danger, instead of seeking agreement among all factions during this critical time.”

“It is clear that new regional changes are taking place with the latest political and military developments,” he noted, adding that current states are on their way to collapse.

"We will be witnessing the rise of new sectarian entities that will define their borders with massacres, war and displacement," he stated.

Clashes erupted on Saturday afternoon when Syrian gunmen deployed across the region of Arsal in retaliation for the arrest of Syrian national Imad Ahmad Jomaa at a Lebanese Armed Forces checkpoint.

16 LAF members were killed AFP reported, and dozens injured, while at least 20 soldiers were reported missing, presumed kidnapped by the gunmen during the clashes that left several militants also killed.

Jomaa was arrested while being transferred to a hospital after he sustained wounds during fighting on the outskirts of Arsal.