Jumblat: Assad Gives Allies 'Secret Word' to Obstruct Government Role

by **Admin** Wed Apr 02, 2008 10:37 am

Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblat accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad of giving his allies in Lebanon the "secret word" to obstruct government business.

Jumblat said in remarks published Monday that he doubts Syria's commitment to an Arab League initiative which calls for an end to Lebanon's crisis.

"I doubt Syria's commitment to the Arab initiative following the (end of the Arab) summit because we are always used to Syria theoretically agreeing and then giving its allies in Lebanon the secret word to obstruct … the secret word to obstruct even the role of the government," Jumblat said.

Jumblat voiced concern over continued arms smuggling into Lebanon.

"When we see today more illegal weapons and arsenal coming from Syria across the border and when we see that these weapons are protected, then this is not promising," he said.