Beirut: The 'Democratic Gathering' parliamentary bloc held a meeting on Saturday chaired by MP Taymour Jumblatt, during which its members endorsed former Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblatt's memorandum on the proposed "framework agreement," urging that it be read objectively as it provides a "national vision" aimed at preserving Lebanon's stability, ensuring Israel's full withdrawal from occupied Lebanese territory, enabling the Lebanese army to extend its authority over all Lebanese territory, and ensuring the exclusivity of arms in the hands of the Lebanese state.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the bloc warned that linking Israel's withdrawal to Lebanon's disarmament would set a serious precedent, criticizing negotiators for sidelining the 1949 Armistice Agreement and UN Security Council Resolution 1701. The bloc reiterated its full support for the government's ministerial statement calling for all weapons to be placed exclusively under the authority of the Lebanese state, reaffirming its commitment to implementing this principle through constitutional and legal mechanisms. It also backed successive Cabinet decisions stressing the extension of state authority across all Lebanese territory, the state's exclusive power to decide on war and peace, and the restriction of arms to the country's legitimate security forces, describing these measures as essential to strengthening Lebanon's sovereignty and stability.
Marking the first anniversary of the Sweida events, the 'Democratic Gathering' bloc members reaffirmed that "justice is the true gateway to stability," welcoming the launch of trials related to the violations and committed crimes, and stressing that they should be conducted with full transparency and without exception to ensure justice for the families of all victims. "Holding the perpetrators accountable is the first step in a long process that the Progressive Socialist Party has called for, to be completed by establishing justice and launching a comprehensive development plan for the Sweida Governorate, in a way that preserves its identity and the unity of Syrian lands, and contributes to strengthening internal reconciliation as the basis for opening a new page," the bloc members maintained. They also stressed the need to secure the swift release of all remaining abductees and to implement the provisions of the Amman roadmap, in a manner that serves Syria's stability, unity, and the safety of its people whi le easing the concerns of all communities.
The Democratic Gathering further warned against rumors and malicious attempts to undermine national unity and stir sectarian tensions in Lebanon, considering that such campaigns serve only to incite discord and destabilize the country, and calling on the relevant security and judicial authorities to deal seriously with these attempts, identify those responsible, and put an end to any actions that threaten Lebanon's internal security.
The bloc also condemned the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon, including shelling, airstrikes, the demolition of homes, the destruction of villages, and the fall of civilian casualties. "The continuation of these attacks, in parallel with the repeated Israeli statements about maintaining a military presence inside Lebanese territory, reaffirms Israeli ambitions and attempts to impose new realities by force," the bloc members underlined.
On a different note, the bloc members reviewed legislative matters ahead of Parliament's upcoming plenary session, stressing the importance of holding the session and approving a number of essential draft laws and legislative proposals, particularly those addressing citizens' day-to-day needs.
Touching on the general amnesty issue, the 'Democratic Gathering' bloc reaffirmed its support for this dossier and pledged to continue working with other parliamentary blocs to reach a fair formula that would address the grievances of hundreds of detainees, ease prison overcrowding, and improve inmates' conditions while upholding justice and the rule of law. The bloc also noted that the amended proposal to abolish the death penalty could open discussions on the criteria for a general amnesty.