The Complex Relations Between Kamel Joumblatt and Hafez al-Assad: Insights from Tawfiq Sultan
Tawfiq Sultan discusses Kamel Joumblatt's stance toward the Assad regime and the political dynamics in Lebanon.
Tawfiq Sultan, a prominent Lebanese politician and former associate of Kamel Joumblatt, offers detailed insights into the intricate relationships between Joumblatt and the late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad during a critical period in Lebanese history.
Following the 1973 war, Assad recognized the challenges of reclaiming the Golan Heights from Israel through military means after Egypt's Anwar Sadat shifted focus away from the conflict.
Consequently, he perceived Lebanon as essential for consolidating his regional influence.
Sultan recalls how Assad, advocating for regular meetings with Joumblatt, had initiated a structured relationship in 1976. These discussions involved key Syrian officials and were often monitored to ensure Assad was aware of the political landscape.
Sultan describes Joumblatt as forthright and pragmatic, standing up to Assad's regime while embodying a strong commitment to Palestinian issues.
An example Sultan provides is a meeting where Joumblatt objected to a statement praising the Syrian regime, leading to its removal from a public joint statement after he insisted on accurately representing their relationship.
This anecdote illustrates Joumblatt's resistance to engaging in superficial political gestures, despite his attempts to navigate the complexities of Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Sultan emphasizes that Joumblatt did not admire Assad's authoritarian style and remained attentive to the implications of that system on Lebanese sovereignty.
He highlights Joumblatt's consistent focus on the Palestinian struggle and a commitment to democratic processes, reflecting a broader ideological divergence between him and the Assad regime.
Joumblatt's opposition to Syrian military intervention in Lebanon, especially his public denouncement of such actions, underscored the friction between the two political figures.
Sultan recounts moments leading up to Joumblatt's assassination in 1977, noting the encompassing tension on the Druze community and the leftist factions in Lebanon that Joumblatt represented.
The shift in Lebanese politics saw the emergence of Rafik Hariri in 1992, who provided a formidable financial and political force, prompting Assad to ensure that Hariri remained under Syrian influence.
Sultan shares how Hariri maintained cordial relations with Assad initially but began to navigate a complex terrain where his growing power created apprehensions within the Syrian regime.
The dynamics intensified, culminating in Hariri's assassination in February 2005. Sultan reflects on the atmosphere leading to Hariri's murder and the persistent warnings he received about potential threats to Hariri's safety, which were met with skepticism by Hariri.
Throughout the discussion, Sultan outlines the adversarial relationship between the Assad regime and various Lebanese leaders, notably Joumblatt and Hariri, and the regional consequences of these interactions.
The intricate interplay between local politics and external influences reveals the challenges faced by Lebanese leaders in seeking a stable political landscape amidst external pressures and internal fractures.
Sultan's reminiscences serve to illuminate the historical landscape of Lebanon's political turbulence during the late 20th century, framed by the overlapping ambitions of regional powers.
Following the 1973 war, Assad recognized the challenges of reclaiming the Golan Heights from Israel through military means after Egypt's Anwar Sadat shifted focus away from the conflict.
Consequently, he perceived Lebanon as essential for consolidating his regional influence.
Sultan recalls how Assad, advocating for regular meetings with Joumblatt, had initiated a structured relationship in 1976. These discussions involved key Syrian officials and were often monitored to ensure Assad was aware of the political landscape.
Sultan describes Joumblatt as forthright and pragmatic, standing up to Assad's regime while embodying a strong commitment to Palestinian issues.
An example Sultan provides is a meeting where Joumblatt objected to a statement praising the Syrian regime, leading to its removal from a public joint statement after he insisted on accurately representing their relationship.
This anecdote illustrates Joumblatt's resistance to engaging in superficial political gestures, despite his attempts to navigate the complexities of Lebanese-Syrian relations.
Sultan emphasizes that Joumblatt did not admire Assad's authoritarian style and remained attentive to the implications of that system on Lebanese sovereignty.
He highlights Joumblatt's consistent focus on the Palestinian struggle and a commitment to democratic processes, reflecting a broader ideological divergence between him and the Assad regime.
Joumblatt's opposition to Syrian military intervention in Lebanon, especially his public denouncement of such actions, underscored the friction between the two political figures.
Sultan recounts moments leading up to Joumblatt's assassination in 1977, noting the encompassing tension on the Druze community and the leftist factions in Lebanon that Joumblatt represented.
The shift in Lebanese politics saw the emergence of Rafik Hariri in 1992, who provided a formidable financial and political force, prompting Assad to ensure that Hariri remained under Syrian influence.
Sultan shares how Hariri maintained cordial relations with Assad initially but began to navigate a complex terrain where his growing power created apprehensions within the Syrian regime.
The dynamics intensified, culminating in Hariri's assassination in February 2005. Sultan reflects on the atmosphere leading to Hariri's murder and the persistent warnings he received about potential threats to Hariri's safety, which were met with skepticism by Hariri.
Throughout the discussion, Sultan outlines the adversarial relationship between the Assad regime and various Lebanese leaders, notably Joumblatt and Hariri, and the regional consequences of these interactions.
The intricate interplay between local politics and external influences reveals the challenges faced by Lebanese leaders in seeking a stable political landscape amidst external pressures and internal fractures.
Sultan's reminiscences serve to illuminate the historical landscape of Lebanon's political turbulence during the late 20th century, framed by the overlapping ambitions of regional powers.
