Jumblatt blasts Syrian referendum

Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) leader MP Walid Jumblatt has criticised the recently held Syrian referendum on a new constitution, dubbing it “a constitutional, theatrical performance.” “Some constitutional theatres are being staged on corpses and amid the sounds of bullets,” Jumblatt said in his weekly article published in the Al-Anbaa newspaper on Monday. Jumblatt in his column stressed the “importance of implementing the articles of the Arab League initiative which is similar to the Gulf initiative in Yemen.” The PSP leader reiterated that it was “vital for the Syrian opposition to unite its ranks and encompass all Syrian groups without exception.” “The battle is tough, and long. All efforts need be done together and differences should be avoided,” he said. Jumblatt also commended the “historic” stance taken by the Palestinian movement Hamas regarding the Syrian situation. “Standing by the Syrian people shows that Hamas understands the meaning of sacrifice for the sake of freedom,” Jumblatt said. Ismail Haniyeh, who heads the Hamas government in Gaza, offered his support last week in Cairo to “the heroic Syrian people, who are striving for freedom, democracy and reform.” The PSP leader also criticised Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for bestowing the Pushkin medal on pro-regime Syrian writer Ali Okla Orsan.