The Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt praises France’s support for Syria’s uprising after a meeting with French President Francois Hollande over the weekend.
Jumblatt lauded the “brave position” adopted by Paris with regard to the Syrian crisis and the violence in the Middle East. “[France’s] position against the Syrian regime is very clear, and it stands with the Syrian people.”
Jumblatt compared the destruction of the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane by the Nazis in World War II and the destruction inflicted on Syria. “Today, the [number of] Syrian cities and villages destroyed surpass the destruction of Oradour by 10, even 100 times,” he said.
The Druze leader is an outspoken critic of the Syrian regime and a staunch supporter of the uprising.
Last week, Jumblatt strongly criticized comments made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry when he announced his country was exploring ways to pressure the Syrian president into agreeing to talks.
The war in neighboring Syria has led to a huge influx of refugees to Lebanon. Their numbers now exceed 1.2 million. “Helping refugees is a moral duty,” Jumblatt said.
“France and other countries are supporting them financially, and it is our duty too, since they don’t have any means to return to their homes. The regime destroyed everything they have and this is why we should take care of them.”
Members of the Syrian Coalition expressed surprise at the remarks made by US Secretary of State John Kerry on the need to engage Assad in the negotiations and at Obama administration’s tentative positions on what is happening in Syria.
The Syrian Coalition reaffirmed commitment to the fundamentals of the revolution and to the Geneva declaration as the basis for a political solution in Syria. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Al Hayat)
