On the 48th anniversary of the assassination of Druze leader Kamal Joumblatt, former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) chief Walid Joumblatt announced the end of the annual March 16 commemoration. This decision comes amid a significant shift in Lebanon and the region, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and the arrest of Ibrahim Huweija, the official responsible for Joumblatt’s assassination.
Large crowds converged on Mukhtara since early morning on Sunday to mark the last official commemoration. Lebanese officials and foreign ambassadors, including Saudi Ambassador Walid al-Bukhari, attended the memorial held under the slogan “we were patient, steadfast and victorious.”
Joumblatt highlighted the perseverance of the struggle, stating, “For 48 years, we gathered on March 16, reciting Al-Fatiha and placing a red flower on Kamal Joumblatt’s grave. It was a moment to reaffirm our commitment to resistance, remembrance and resilience.”
Joumblatt described the anniversary as a time of tribute to the sacrifices of the fallen, emphasizing that their legacy remains deeply rooted in Lebanon’s political history.
Addressing regional developments, he noted, “With the dawn of freedom in Syria and the fall of a regime of oppression after 54 years, justice has finally prevailed with Huweija’s arrest. Therefore, I declare the end of this tradition, as history has taken its course.”
Looking ahead, Joumblatt called for a new phase of struggle within the PSP, one focused on a more humane form of socialism. He stressed the need for an intellectual revival within the party, led by his son Teymour and his comrades.
He called for ending Israel’s presence in south Lebanon, reconstructing the war-devastated areas, demarcating the land and maritime borders with Israel and rebuilding Lebanese-Syrian relations on an equitable basis.
Addressing the Druze of Syria, Joumblatt urged them to stick to their Arab identity, warning against Israel’s plans to divide Syria under the pretext of protecting the minorities.
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