During a rare press conference following a three-hour meeting with Syrian Vice President Farouq al-Sheraa in Damascus on Wednesday, Tawhid Movement leader Wiam Wahhab said that Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblatt does need mediation to visit Syria, adding that the “road is open.”
Wahhab told reporters that Jumblatt’s bleak history with Damascus has been forgotten and “torn out of Syrian records,” saying that there is no scheduled date for a visit, “not until the time is right.”
Wahhab also said that Syrian officials “appreciate” the PSP leader’s new stance.
Jumblatt’s Sunday announcement has nothing to do with cabinet formation, he said, voicing hope that the new national-unity government would be formed soon.
Wahhab also said that if Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri heads to Syria, “he will be greeted with sincerity and care.”
He touched on deliberations with Syrian officials, saying that they discussed Lebanon’s future and Syria’s decision to be “at an equal distance from all Lebanese parties.”
Wahhab said that Syria’s criteria for establishing relations with Lebanese prominent figures are: Their commitment to Lebanon as an Arab entity, their commitment to Lebanese unity and their support for the Resistance.
“Syria is open to all those that abide by those principles,” said Wahhab.
-NOW Staff