Lebanese Druze Leader Walid Jumblatt: I Apologize to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for Comparing Snakes, Whales and Wild Beasts to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad

Following are excerpts from an interview with Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, which aired on LBC TV on February 23, 2007:

Walid Jumblatt: We are facing someone [Iran] who has an army, money, and a political plan for the Arab Islamic Middle East, and one of its frontline bases is Hassan Nasrallah and Hizbullah in Lebanon. When we consider their ideological writings, such as the books by Hazem Saghiyeh and Naim Al-Qassem, we realize that we and they cannot meet half way.

Interviewer: It is impossible to meet half way with this plan?

Walid Jumblatt: Yes, because this is a plan of abolishment.

Interviewer: Abolishment of whom?

Walid Jumblatt: It is a plan to establish a Hizbullah state in Lebanon, at the expense of pluralism, of the Taif Agreement, of free economy, and of the free press.

[…]

[Hizbullah] said its weapons were “sacred weapons,” and we disagreed. Now they are talking about "divine weapons." A truck [with Hizbullah weapons] was driving around Beirut – and it was confiscated in Al-Hazmiya. [Hizbullah] said it was loaded with "divine weapons," and demanded their return. With all due respect to Hassan Nasrallah and the others, we participated, unfortunately, in the civil war in the past, and we know that the range of 60 mm mortars is 500 meters at most. It is meant for urban warfare, not for Haifa, "beyond Haifa," or "beyond beyond Haifa." It is meant for urban warfare.

[...]

We see their rallies. These are not rallies of sorrow and grief for the days of Karbala. There is a kind of activity that is legitimate to express grief over Hussein, but when you see how they salute with their fists... It reminds me of the films by director Leni Riefenstahl, who used to film Adolf Hitler's rallies. Adolf Hitler, no more no less... When Hassan Nasrallah speaks, he speaks to himself. He doesn't speak to the public, but to himself...

Interviewer: How come?

Walid Jumblatt: Who is he addressing? Let's forget about Hassan Nasrallah for a moment. There is nothing more dangerous than mass rallies, because anybody might forget himself there.

Interviewer: Including you?

Walid Jumblatt: Yes, including me. Nothing is more dangerous.

Interviewer: Do you regret what you said on February 14, 2007?

Walid Jumblatt: No, but the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty against Animals contacted me, and said that they reject the comparison of snakes, whales, and wild beasts to Bashar Al-Assad. I apologize to that society. But I don't regret anything else I said.