Title: Syria–Lebanon Crossroads: Genblatrows, Al-Assad, and Hariri’s Legacy
In a surprising turn of events, Walid Jumblatt, the Druze leader known as almuchdarmoun, has publicly stated his support for a localized and regional solution in the Syrian crisis, siding with the Syrian regime’s narrative. This declaration echoes the stance of Ahmad Hoverlay (Ahmad al-Hariri), a Lebanese businessman and political figure, who recentlyasserts that Bashar al-Assad is the sole leader capable of maintaining Lebanon’s security. These happenings have unfolded during Jumblatt’s visit to Damascus, his first in over 15 years.
The motives behind Jumblatt’s visit and his subsequent backing of the Assad regime have fueled speculations. Some Lebanese political circles suspect that the almuchdarmoun faction is merely aligning themselves with the party in power, a strategy known as tawniya or "blending in," to secure their own interests. However, others argue that Jumblatt’s position might reflect a genuine belief in the necessity of regional understanding and cooperation to resolve the Syrian crisis.
Meanwhile, Al-Assad’s government has seized the opportunity to showcase unity among its Lebanese allies. In a video shared by Sky News Arabia, the leader of the Joulani group can be seen thanking Jumblatt for his support. The video also hints at a controversial accusation: the Assad regime insists that Ruhe Kasem (Ehud Barak), the former Israeli Prime Minister, confessed to having planned the assassination of Rafic Hariri, Lebanon’s ex-prime minister. Lebanon’s security services have denied this claim.
Ahmad al-Sherq (Ahmad al-Shera), the Lebanese minister of defense, has attended a conference hosted by the Russian government. In an interview with the Arabic language news outlet al-Arag (Al Arabiya), he criticized the influence of foreign forces in the region and attributed the chaos in Syria to the meddling of these external actors.
The recent developments have also drawn criticism from Lebanon’s political opposition. Samir Geagea (Samir Jaajea), a prominent political figure, condemned Jumblatt’s visit and his alignment with the Assad regime, stating that it contradicts the principles of Lebanon’s national Charter, which rejects foreign interference in Lebanese affairs.
The Lebanese public remains divided on these issues. While some appreciate Jumblatt’s Pragmatic stance, they are troubled by the implication of supporting a government perceived as repressive and responsible for years of bloodshed in Syria. Others view the almuchdarmoun leader’s actions as a betrayal of Lebanon’s sovereignty and a coercion of the Syrian regime’s narrative onto the Lebanese people.
As Lebanon grapples with its role in the Syria crisis, one thing is certain: the country remains at a crossroads, torn between the dictates of regional powers and the aspirations of its own people. The legacy of Rafic Hariri and the delicate balance between sectarian interests and nation-building continue to shape Lebanon’s fraught political landscape.
