Hariri, Jumblatt meet in Paris

Former Prime Minister Saad Hariri met Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt in Paris Tuesday night, their first meeting since Hariri’s government was toppled in early 2011. Hariri received Jumblatt, accompanied by his wife Noura, at his residence in the French capital in the presence of Nader Hariri, the former prime minister's office said in a statement. The discussion, which continued over dinner, focused on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region, the brief statement added. A senior PSP source had earlier told The Daily Star the meeting stems from the two leaders' "keenness to preserve civil peace." "The PSP and the Future Movement have always maintained contact," the source added. Another PSP source said before the meeting that discussions between the two political leaders would tackle Syria’s uprising as well as the upcoming 2013 electoral draft law that was recently approved by Lebanon’s Cabinet and is due to be discussed by MPs. Jumblatt’s stance toward Hezbollah will also be discussed, the source added. “Jumblatt had made it clear among his circles that he intends to ally with the March 14 coalition during the upcoming elections,” said the source, adding that Jumblatt had recently sent a representative to the Lebanese Forces’ Martyrs Commemoration Day as a sign of goodwill. The source also said that the PSP leader’s meeting with Hariri would pave the way for a yet to be announced meeting between Jumblatt and Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz. The PSP leader’s ties with Saudi Arabia froze in early 2011 after he backed Najib Mikati to replace Hariri as prime minister following the resignation of March 8 ministers from the government. Several attempts by Jumblatt to restore ties with King Abdullah have been unsuccessful so far. However, during a Ramadan iftar in Chouf, Mount Lebanon, last month, Jumblatt said his alliance with Hezbollah could not continue under the slogan of the “Army, people and resistance,” in a possible sign of deteriorating relations between the two sides. Jumblatt has three ministers in the Lebanese government which is dominated by the Hezbollah-led March 8 coalition. Future Parliamentary bloc MP Ahmad Fatfat told The Daily Star Tuesday that communication between Hariri and Jumlatt had never been entirely severed. “Jumblatt’s recent stances about the Syrian uprising helped restore bridges with Hariri,” Fatfat said, adding that the PSP and Future Movement always agreed on the need for safeguarding the country’s stability. The PSP Leader has been a vocal critic of the Syrian regime and voiced support for the Syrian people’s demands for democratic change in their country. Asked if the meeting was a prelude to bringing down the Cabinet of Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Fatfat said: “This Cabinet was established upon a regional, Syrian decision, and it will come down in the same manner.” As for a possible parliamentary alliance between Jumblatt and the March 14 coalition, Fatfat said “It is still too early to talk about the 2013 polls but it is known that both Hariri and Jumblatt have recently criticized the [draft electoral law based on] proportional representation.” President Michel Sleiman signed the draft law electoral over the weekend, which was approved by the Cabinet in August. Hariri and Jumblat have both criticized the bill, which is based on proportional representation and divides Lebanon into 13 districts. (daily star)