In a firm call for national sovereignty, former Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader Walid Jumblatt urged that all weapons in Lebanon be placed solely under the control of the state, stressing that the region is entering a “new page” in its history.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Jumblatt called on all parties in Lebanon—both local and foreign—to hand over any weapons they possess to the Lebanese state, adding that the moment demands collective responsibility.
He revealed that he had informed President Joseph Aoun of the presence of weapons in Mukhtara and requested that the competent security agencies address the matter. The weapons, he said, were fully handed over more than three weeks ago.
Jumblatt explained that the arms, classified as light and medium, had been amassed following the violent events of May 7, 2008, during a period of tension between Hezbollah and the PSP.
But beyond weapons, Jumblatt emphasized the importance of preserving collective memory. “The most useful weapon for future generations is the weapon of memory,” he said, urging the Lebanese to pass on the legacy of “heroism and resistance against Israel and its collaborators.”
Touching on the latest regional conflict, Jumblatt acknowledged that the current round has seen Israel, backed by the United States, emerge victorious, noting, however, that “nothing lasts forever.”
He also weighed in on the sensitive issue of the Shebaa Farms, stating unequivocally that they fall under United Nations Resolution 242 and constitute “Syrian territory occupied by Israel”—a position consistent with long-held Lebanese claims.
In closing, Jumblatt offered a sobering message: only through the establishment of a strong, unified state can Lebanon navigate the uncertainties ahead.
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