The parliamentary bloc of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP, Jumblattist), chaired by MP Teymour Joumblatt, emphasized on Saturday following its weekly meeting the need to implement U.N. Resolution 1701, which notably stipulates the withdrawal of Israel from all Lebanese territories and the exclusive control of armed force by the Lebanese state through its military and security institutions.
The meeting was attended by MPs Akram Shehayeb, Wael Bou Faour, Hadi Abou al-Hosn, Bilal Abdallah, Faysal Sayegh and Raji Saad. Also present were PSP Secretary General Zafer Nasser and Houssam Harb, adviser to Jumblatt.
“The parliamentary group stressed the importance of fully implementing Resolution 1701, including the withdrawal of Israel from all occupied Lebanese territory, and emphasized the need for arms to be exclusively under the control of the Lebanese state and its legitimate security and military institutions,” said the statement issued after the meeting. The statement also praised the PSP’s “historic” decision to hand over its weapons to the state, urging all armed factions in Lebanon to follow suit.
“It is crucial to protect Lebanon from foreign interference, which the Lebanese cannot afford, and to focus on internal issues, reforms, financial and economic challenges and quality of life,” the statement added.
Lebanese Druze leader and former PSP chief Walid Jumblatt had announced on Thursday that the party had handed over its weapons to the Lebanese Army “three weeks ago.” In a press conference, he stated that he had informed the army chief, Joseph Aoun, that weapons were located in a certain place in Mukhtara and asked the appropriate services to take care of them. Jumblatt reportedly made this announcement in the hope that other groups, particularly Hezbollah and Palestinian factions, would follow suit, although they appear to be dragging their feet. This comes as President Aoun has called for dialogue on the issue.
Also discussed at the parliamentary group meeting was the legislative session scheduled for next Monday, which is expected to address the electoral law, with parliamentary elections set for 2026. The MPs insisted on the right of Lebanese expatriates to fully participate in the parliamentary elections and to vote for representatives of all 15 constituencies, just like residents. “This would establish equality among citizens and ensure fair representation,” the statement noted. Currently, expatriates vote for six MPs (a Sunni, a Shiite, a Druze, a Maronite, a Greek Catholic and a Greek Orthodox) distributed across six continents.
