Jumblatt: Hezbollah has no right to reclaim seized explosives

Walid Jumblatt, the former leader of the Progressive Socialist Party, said Hezbollah has no right to demand the return of the explosives the army seized at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint, in an interview with LBCI's "Ishrin 30" programme on Monday.

"We cannot remain a battlefield for Iran against Israel," he said, warning that Lebanon must not become a tool to improve Tehran's hand in the Strait of Hormuz. He criticised Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem for dragging the country into wars again, Al Modon and Lebanon Debate also reported.

Jumblatt said the framework agreement with Israel could still be amended and called for a truce. He opposed any preconditions that would open the door to full normalisation, and opposed repealing the law that criminalises dealings with Israel.

He criticised political miscalculations by members of Lebanon's negotiating delegation but said national unity comes first, and praised the army's performance. He called for a national dialogue table, while questioning whether Hezbollah and Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea would attend.