Jumblat says Syrian presence is OK

The Lebanese daily al-Safir said in its Monday's issue that the dialogue which was initiated between the Socialist progressive party and the Aouni Trend ( named after Michael Aoun) to arrange a meeting between member of the Lebanese parliament Walid Jumblat and Lt. Gen. Michael Aoun was suspended.

The paper quoted well-informed sources as saying that the decision of suspending the dialogue was taken by the Socialist party so as the dialogue will not be explained as directed against Syria in this crucial phase and also because Aoun does not recognize Taif accord.

Meantime, member of the Lebanese parliament Walid Jumblat said that he is not with resolution 520, stressing commitment to al-Taif Accord which calls for initiating a dialogue with the Syrian leadership to define positions which serve strategic inclinations.

In a statement to the Lebanese daily al-Safir issued on Monday, Jumblat added if the Syrian presence in Beirut serves this inclinations " we are with it," noting that he is one of the advocates for dialogue on this issue " and we are not advocated for the Syrian withdrawal. My position is identical with that of parliament member Nasib Lahoud."

Jumblat stressed that no body is provoking him in debating the issue of Syrian- Lebanese relations, adding that he has been moving according to his personal convictions, stressing that he is against the establishment of any Druze- Christian alliance. Jumblat denied to have had received a message preventing him from entering Syria as a politician.