BEIRUT: Lebanese Democratic Party head Talal Arslan Wednesday evening upped the tone against Progressive Socialist Party head Walid Joumblatt, amid a widening divide between the rival Druze leaders.
Speaking during an interview with local news outlet MTV, Arslan said that he was not going to accept any decision on Druze representation in the next government made without his approval. “There is a policy of monopoly within the Druze sect,” he said, implicitly referring to Joumblatt and the PSP. “Monopolization of the Druze decision isn’t allowed for anyone.”
Arslan and Joumblatt have long been rivals, but their relationship in recent months has been marred with tension, particularly since the lead-up to the May 6 parliamentary elections.
In the Chouf-Aley district, Arslan aligned himself with the Free Patriotic Movement, while the PSP accused the FPM of attempting to sideline Joumblatt in the elections.