A reconciliation meeting in Baisour, Chouf, scheduled to settle a dispute within the Mlaheb family, brought together on Friday the former head of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblatt and the chairman of the Democratic Party Talal Arslan, two figures usually rivals within the Druze community. Druze Sheikh Akl Sami Abi al-Mona was also present.

According to information released by the daily an-Nahar before the event, this meeting was to be an opportunity to operate a "rapprochement in positions regarding the war in Gaza and South Lebanon." Also according to sources cited by the newspaper, the organizers wanted a position of "historical support of the community for the Palestinian cause" to be reflected.

It was Arslan who spoke at the end of the meeting, estimating that "the region is going through a delicate phase, but we remain faithful to our Arab affiliation, our support for the Palestinian cause and our support for the resistance."

He continued, "The sons of our community, whether they are in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria or Jordan, have never been projects of discord, partition or border guards for the enemy."

He mentioned a "minority of residents of Sweida [Syria]" to whom he advised, "not to bet on any foreign partition project because it does not wish them any good." On the contrary, according to him, "we must learn from the lessons of the past and remain in solidarity with the Syrians, in order to preserve their presence [in this region] and their future."

As for the Druze in Palestine, Arslan expressed hope that "they will no longer be part of the enemy's army, nor will they allow divisions to arise with the Palestinians."

Joumblatt paid tribute to the inhabitants of Baisour "who have always been at the forefront of the Arab resistance, facing all attempts at partition and isolationism."  

This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.