As another step towards reconciliation with Syria and in preparation for his visit to Damascus, Druze leader Walid Jumblatt expressed regret for the criticism and insults he leveled in the past at Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad. In a March 13 interview on Al-Jazeera, he said that his statements against Assad had been "unworthy and unreasonable," and had been said "in a moment of loss of self-control." Jumblatt, who has blamed the Syrians for the assassination of his father, Kamal Jumblatt, did not exonerate Syria of the crime, but said he was willing to "forgive and forget."
Nevertheless, the Syrian daily Al-Watan complained that Jumblatt had not apologized explicitly and had not firmly supported the pro-Syrian Lebanese opposition, adding that Assad would be the one to decide whether to accept his statements.
According to recent reports, Syria has made Jumblatt's visit conditional upon a public apology on his part.
Source: Al-Nahar (Lebanon), Al-Watan (Syria), March 14, 2010
