Former President of the Progressive Socialist Party Walid Joumblatt, in Clemenceau, on Aug. 27, 2025. (Credit: Mohammad Yassine/L'Orient-Le Jour)
In the face of what he considers “decisive” issues, Walid Joumblatt is proceeding with caution.About 10 days after President Joseph Aoun called for direct negotiations with Israel to end the war, Joumblatt, the former head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), has yet to state his position.Before doing so, he is waiting for Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanon's main liaison with the international community from the Shiite community, to reconsider his opposition to such a move.Joumblatt believes the process cannot move forward without a broad national consensus. Berri, for his part, refuses to begin negotiations without a cease-fire, while Israel wants talks to take place amid ongoing fighting.According to L'Orient-Le Jour's information, Joumblatt is reluctant to engage in such a process to avoid a repeat of May 17,...
In the face of what he considers “decisive” issues, Walid Joumblatt is proceeding with caution.About 10 days after President Joseph Aoun called for direct negotiations with Israel to end the war, Joumblatt, the former head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), has yet to state his position.Before doing so, he is waiting for Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Lebanon's main liaison with the international community from the Shiite community, to reconsider his opposition to such a move.Joumblatt believes the process cannot move forward without a broad national consensus. Berri, for his part, refuses to begin negotiations without a cease-fire, while Israel wants talks to take place amid ongoing fighting.According to L'Orient-Le Jour's information, Joumblatt is reluctant to engage in such a process to avoid a repeat of May...
