Lebanon's Democratic gathering bloc leader MP Walid Jumblatt criticized Hezbollah's weapons, saying guns that protect tyrannical regimes like Syria and Iran "are not sacred and can never be." "As long as the ruling group remains in Damascus while the free are in Syrian jails ? and the Lebanon-Syria border is open to sabotage agents, we should expect more assassinations and bombings," Jumblatt told a dinner gathering in Beiteddine. His remarks were published in Lebanese dailies on Monday."Weapons that protect the tyrannical rule from Beirut to Iran through the Damascus regime, are not sacred and can never be," Jumblatt said. "Resistance is not just resisting Israel, but resisting regimes of hatred and rancor," he added. "Resistance respects freedom and diversity."
Jumblatt labeled "traitor" anyone within the majority March 14 coalition who considers reaching a compromise or a settlement with the Hezbollah-led opposition, saying he would be "condemned morally and politically." He also slammed pro-Syrian President Emile Lahoud, calling him a "young and stupid criminal" when the "stupid and bigger criminal Bashar al-Assad summoned (late) Premier Rafik Hariri and told him to renew for Lahoud. 'He is ours'."
Lahoud denounced as "criminals" Jumblatt and those like him. "It's hard to believe that comments like that could come from a normal and wise person," said a statement issued by Lahoud's office.