Jumblatt Arrives in Damascus for Anticipated Meeting with al-Sharaa
Walid Jumblatt, the former leader of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party, arrived in Damascus on Sunday, marking the first visit by a Lebanese official to Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Jumblatt met with Mohammad al-Bashir, the head of the transitional government. He is also expected to meet with Ahmad al-Sharaa, known as “Abu Muhammad al-Joulani,” the leader of the new administration in Syria, at the People’s Palace in Damascus.
Accompanying Jumblatt is a significant delegation including members of the Democratic Gathering bloc, both current and former ministers.
Since the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005, Jumblatt has been one of the most vocal critics of Assad’s regime. He was a key figure in what became known as the “March 14 Alliance,” a coalition of Lebanese political figures opposing Syrian influence in Lebanon.
Jumblatt had previously contacted al-Sharaa to congratulate both him and the Syrian people on their victory over oppression and the attainment of freedom after 54 years of tyranny.
Both Jumblatt and al-Sharaa emphasized “Syria’s unity across all its regions and the rejection of all division projects, working towards building a new, united Syria and rebuilding a state that encompasses all its citizens.” They agreed to meet soon in Damascus.
Al-Sharaa acknowledged that Jumblatt had paid a heavy price due to the injustices of the Syrian regime, starting from the martyrdom of his father, Kamal Jumblatt, and he has been a constant supporter of the Syrian people’s revolution from the very beginning.