Lebanon's Druze leader in Syria for crisis talks

Jan 15, 2011, 12:28 GMT

Beirut - Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt held talks in Syria Saturday with President Bashar al-Assad on the political turmoil in Lebanon following the collapse of premier Saad Hariri's government, Syrian state news agency SANA reported.

The two men stressed the 'importance of staying aware of the risks foreign interventions carry in the region' and emphasized the role of the region's inhabitants in the decision-making process, according to SANA.

Jumblatt, once a main Hariri ally, has changed his stance in recent months and is now close to the Hezbollah-led opposition, but maintains some links with the caretaker premier.

Sources close to the Druze leader said he was trying to find a solution to the current crisis that would satisfy both camps, but stressed the difficulty of that task.

Jumblatt met with Hezbollah leader Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah on Thursday and held talks with Hariri on Friday.

Analysts say Jumblatt could play a critical role in the formation of a new cabinet.

Lebanon's national unity government collapsed Wednesday after Hezbollah and its allies walked out of Hariri's cabinet because the UN tribunal investigating the assassination of Hariri's father, former prime minister Rafik Hariri, is expected to charge senior members of the Shiite militant group.

Hezbollah denies any involvement in the 2005 assassination and has urged Hariri to ignore the Special Tribunal for Lebanon. Hariri has refused to comply.

Lebanese President Michel Suleiman will begin consultations with the various parliamentary blocs on Monday to name a premier to form a new government.

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