Jumblatt: Any attempt to disarm Hezbollah by force could lead to a new civil war

Former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt warned of the repercussions of any attempt to impose Hezbollah’s disarmament by force, considering that such a course could open the door to a new civil war in Lebanon.

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde, Jumblatt said that betting on forcing Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon and fully comply with the ceasefire appears closer to fantasy under the current circumstances.

He accused Israel of continuing a policy of systematic destruction of Lebanese villages and displacing their residents, noting that what is taking place is reminiscent of the approach it followed in Gaza, and estimating that around 60 villages in southern Lebanon have been completely destroyed.

He considered that Israel’s wars go beyond direct military objectives to affect the structure of the entire regional order, pointing out that what he described as the “yellow line” drawn by Israel could in the future extend to areas in Hauran and Syria’s Daraa province.

Jumblatt also stressed that the Lebanese state does not have broad room for maneuver in the ongoing negotiations in Washington, given the political and security complexities surrounding the issue.