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BEIRUT – For the first time after 13 years of estrangement, Walid Jumblatt, Lebanon\u2019s Druze leader, visited Damascus on Sunday, December 22.<\/p>\n
Jumblatt met Abu Muhammad al-Julani, currently known as \u201cAhmad al-Sharaa,\u201d with a delegation of political and religious figures affiliated with Lebanon\u2019s Progressive Socialist Party (PSP).<\/p>\n
Sources close to the PSP stated that the priority of the visit was to reassure the concerns of Syria\u2019s Druze minority, as al-Sharaa assured him of his \u201cconcern for all Syrian components and partnership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Al-Sharaa allegedly stated, \u201cIslam does not mean the abolition of other sects, but on the contrary, we have a duty to protect them. Today, we are fulfilling the state\u2019s duty in protecting all components of Syrian society.\u201d<\/p>\n
In light of the lack of clarity on the final formula of the ruling clique in Damascus, sources close to the PSP refused to consider that Jumblatt had been hasty, noting that he did not present himself as a representative of the Lebanese state.<\/p>\n
The PSP sources further pointed out that the visit was constructive, especially since al-Sharaa seemed open and even keen to correct the \u201cfuture relationship with Hezbollah,\u201d as he indicated that \u201ca page has been turned\u201d and that the \u201cSyria page is at an equal distance from all Lebanese forces,\u201d according to the delegation accompanying Jumblatt.<\/p>\n
In return, al-Sharaa pledged that the new regime in Syria will respect \u201cLebanon\u2019s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, and security and stability,\u201d and that it will stand at an equal distance from everyone.<\/p>\n
Jumblatt proposed to al-Sharaa a draft memorandum of understanding that called for harmonious Lebanese-Syrian relations and called for \u201crevealing the fate of Lebanese detainees in Syrian prisons.\u201d<\/p>\n
Al-Sharaa said, \u201cDespite the past wounds, we will be a support for Lebanon and all components of the Lebanese people and we will build strategic relations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Regarding Lebanon\u2019s Shiites, al-Sharaa explained, \u201cwhether opponents of the former regime or supporters\u201d are \u201cpart of the Lebanese environment.\u00a0 Today, we speak with the logic of the state, separate from previous political classifications, which negatively affected the structure of Lebanon, Syria and the countries neighboring them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jumblatt also told al-Sharaa, \u201cThe road is long, and we and you are suffering from Israeli expansion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Besides, he stressed the importance of demarcating the land borders with Lebanon and agreeing on the identity of the Shebaa Farms. Jumblatt said that if an agreement is reached on demarcation between the two countries, the fate of \u201cthe Shebaa Farms will be subject to international resolution 242\u2026 but the Shebaa Farms are Syrian.\u201d<\/p>\n
This statement angered the citizens of Shebaa, who criticized Jumblatt\u2019s provocative position, stressing in a statement: \u201cWe have previously met with Mr. Jumblatt and other Lebanese leaders on more than one occasion and presented to them everything that confirms the Lebanese identity of the Shebaa Farms and Kfar Shuba Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement added: \u201cWe refer Mr. Jumblatt and others to Resolution 1701, which explicitly speaks about the Shebaa Farms and emphasizes Resolution 425 and never mentioned Resolution 242 regarding the Shebaa Farms.\u201d<\/p>\n
It further said: \u201cHow can the demarcation be carried out, which is already demarcated, in light of the expansion of the Zionist occupation inside Syrian territory?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The statement was concluded by calling on Jumblatt to \u201cremove this national file from private and narrow calculations because the concept of sovereignty is indivisible. We will remain committed to our rights and our land and work by all means to liberate it from the occupation.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n