Relations with Hizbullah Reached 'Point of No Return'

Druze leader Walid Jumblat said relations with Hizbullah have reached the "point of no return" since the Shiite group takes orders from Iran and Syria.

"We must reach a joint defense strategy to protect Lebanon through the state's exclusive right to make war and peace decisions," Jumblat said in an interview published Wednesday with the Kuwaiti daily Al-Qabas (link to article).

Jumblat ruled out the eruption of civil war in Lebanon.

"This does not mean that Syria and Iran would not likely order their allies in Lebanon to incite security incidents," he said.

In response to a question on whether Israel would attack Lebanon, Jumblat said: "We will face any confrontation with all our moral, political and social power. This is our national duty."

In his weekly al-Anbaa newspaper, Jumblat reiterated his position from the Arab summit, saying that Lebanon's attendance was "ridiculous" when the ruling March 14 coalition accused Syria of assassinations.

He called on the Arab League to show "real support" for Lebanon in order to consolidate its stability and independence.

Jumblat said the Arab League should prod Damascus toward establishing diplomatic relations with Lebanon and recognize it as an independent entity. (Naharnet)