Democratic Gathering leader MP Walid Jumblatt has criticized fellow legislators for hugging and kissing rival lawmakers during a recent rally in LebanonÂ’s Parliament over an international tribunal to try suspects in the 2005 assassination of former Premier Rafik Hariri. "We could have done without the resounding hand-shake party with agents of the Syrian regime and followers of Iran who established the Hezbollah state to confront that of the Taef," Jumblatt said in remarks published on Thursday. "We could have done without these silly kisses with those whom we accuse of moral and perhaps technical partnership in the (latest) series of crimesÂ…""We could have done without the warm encounters with those who destroyed the economy and turned Beirut squares into (military) campsÂ… We could have done without the grins with those who represent the culture of deathÂ…" Jumblatt added. He was referring to Tuesday's television footage which illustrated some pro-government deputies who kissed, hugged or merely shook hands with rival lawmakers, instead of the usual bickering and feuding.
Pro-government legislators and opposition deputies gathered in parliament avoiding a feared showdown over the U.N.-backed tribunal. But the hugs and kisses, which normally heal a broken heart, did not settle the dispute over the court.