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Jumblatt: Assad acting like mafia head


Jumblatt: Assad acting like mafia head

Druze leader continues: If Lebanon’s central government doesn’t have monopoly on war and peace decisions, it will find itself coexisting with country called Hizbullah

Roee Nahmias
Published: 09.20.06, 12:21

Lebanon’s Druze leader, Walid Jumblatt , said on Tuesday Sept 19th, 2006, ”Hafez Assad was a cultural criminal, but his son is a mafia head and not a government head.” He spoke out in an interview with the Lebanese television channel LBC.

In addition, Jumblatt, a typical representative of the anti Syrian bloc, attacked Damascus claiming it was trying to overthrow the Lebanese government and take over the country.

“The Syrian regime is only interested in overthrowing the country or damaging its ability to function, in order to enter the political vacuum through revolution or security related incidents. That, is to sabotage the establishment of an international tribunal (regarding the murder of Rafik Hariri),” said Jumblatt.

In an interview with LBC’s May Shediak - who was severely injured about a year ago in an attempted assassination, apparently instigated by Syria following criticism on her part – Jumblatt hinted that Syria’s methods hadn’t changed.

'Sheba only a distraction'
According to him there are still “whispers and signals” to hurt Lebanese Prime Minister (PM) Fouad Siniora, similar as to what occurred on the night former Lebanese PM Rafik Hariri was assassinated.

Jumblatt criticized Syria regarding the Shebaa Farm issue, saying it avoided agreeing on a border in order to keep things vague, allowing itself and Iran to keep a hold on Lebanon.
He continued to say that both countries had ambitions, nuclear and vengeful, and that “if Lebanon’s central government doesn’t have a monopoly on decisions of war and peace, it will find itself coexists with a neighboring country called Hizbullah.”

During the interview, Jumblatt admitted that there wasn’t effective supervision of sea ports and country borders, contrary to what was required by security council decision 1701. “The borders and some of the ports don’t carry out thorough searches of ships, and Hizbullah decides on that.”

Jumblatt mocked Hizbullah Secretary-General Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah’s declaration of a “divine victory” against Israel. “This isn’t a devine victory, but a financial victory. Those who give money and weapons are those who give the orders, and others become hostages. Even civilians holding money have become hostages to those they receive the money from.”

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