The head of the "Democratic Gathering" bloc, MP Timour Jumblatt, emphasized the "continuation of the struggle for Lebanon's sovereignty to protect the state, our independent national decision, and our natural relations with sister Arab countries, hoping to cooperate with those who agree with us on the interdependence of reform and sovereignty, and those aspiring for real change." Jumblatt's remarks came after he chaired a meeting of the Democratic Gathering bloc at the Mukhayyar Palace, attended by MPs Mrouane Hamadeh, Akram Shehayeb, Raji Saad, Faisal Al-Sayegh, Hadi Abu Al-Hassan, and Wael Abu Faour, along with the general secretary of the Progressive Socialist Party, Dhafir Nasser, Jumblatt's advisor Hossam Harb, and the media commissioner in the party, Saleh Hdeifa. MP Dr. Bilal Abdallah was absent due to travel. The meeting discussed the last two rounds of parliamentary elections and several upcoming events.
After the meeting, Jumblatt stated: "The elections are a new stage that confirms Lebanon's democratic identity and the diversity that many have tried to cancel. The people have dismantled the political assassination that some planned for both inside and outside. Thank you to everyone who placed a stone, via their vote, in the structure of our path to building the state and restoring recovery. Thank you to the people of the mountain, who are an example of sacrifice and struggle; thank you to the party, to my comrades and companions in the electoral machine one by one, to the youth who were the backbone of the work and activity, and thanks to the colleagues we ran the elections with who were not successful, we will continue to cooperate with them, and greetings to my fellow Habouba Aoun, fellow Afra Eid, and friend Saad Al-Din Al-Khatib."
He added: "Now that the elections are over, we need to form a government quickly, as we cannot waste time; the citizen can no longer bear the situation in the country. We will continue to work for all the slogans we raised in the elections, which we want to be realized, primarily sovereignty and reform." Jumblatt continued: "First, on the political front, the sovereignty of the country is essential—we have struggled for it, and we will continue that to protect the state, our independent national decision, and our natural relations with sister Arab countries. Secondly, regarding the reform issue: the recovery plan and the required reforms from the IMF, electricity, restructuring the banking sector, rights of small depositors, not selling state assets but investing in them and placing the proceeds into a sovereign fund, a fair tax system, wealth taxes as an example, developing and modernizing the political system through abolishing sectarianism and a new election law, lowering the voting age as we proposed, titles of civil state regarding personal status issues, citizenship, human rights and women's rights, an independent judiciary, social justice, and the necessity of providing protection for low-income individuals, employees, and poor families. Most importantly, creating a window of hope for young people to prevent emigration, creating job opportunities, supporting individual initiatives, and protecting the environment. These are the titles we will resume working on with colleagues in the bloc, and God willing, in cooperation with those who agree with us on the interdependence of the priorities of reform, the priority of sovereignty, and those aspiring for real change, so let's continue working for Lebanon away from any compromises on people's rights."
**Meetings**
Earlier, Jumblatt met with numerous popular delegations who came to congratulate him on winning the elections and confirm their support for the Mukhayyar and MP Jumblatt in the upcoming phase. He also discussed some service, developmental, and living demands that concern towns and their residents, presented by religious figures, community leaders, and municipal councils. Notable delegations included representatives from Barja and the Al-Khatib family, along with lawyer Saad Al-Din Al-Khatib, who was a candidate on the "Partnership and Will" list, accompanied by the mayor of Ketermaya, lawyer Yahya Alaa Al-Din, and a delegation from Ketermaya, with the presence of former MP Alaa Al-Din Taro. Al-Khatib delivered a speech congratulating Jumblatt on winning with several members of the list, stating: “I had the honor to be on the 'Partnership and Will' list alongside Timour Bak in the electoral battle, but in elections, there are victories and failures. I lament my inability to be with you in the parliament, yet we are with you over the next four years, alongside you from Barja to Mukhayyar.” He noted the "need for the Khroub region for services on all levels" and praised MP Abdallah and Barja, "which flows love to the Mukhayyar," saying: "We consider MP Timour Jumblatt to represent Barja in the parliament." He also highlighted Taro's support during the electoral battle, emphasizing the importance of ongoing communication with the Mukhayyar for the interest of Barja and the region, asserting, "As we promised you, the Khroub region will only be the strong flank for Shouf, and we managed to keep Mukhayyar as the stronghold in the area."
For his part, Jumblatt welcomed Al-Khatib and the accompanying delegation, stating: "We won a battle, but the war is still ongoing, and we regret the failure of Mr. Saad Al-Din Al-Khatib, which does not mean you should rest today; we will need you in four years, as the journey is still long. With the efforts of all the loyal ones in Lebanon and with the help of Mr. Saad Al-Din Al-Khatib, Mr. Alaa Al-Din Taro, and all comrades, we will reach our goals." Jumblatt also met a large popular delegation from the town of Baaklein, led by MP Hamadeh, which included sheikhs, especially Sheikh Abu Najm Nabih Hamadeh, community leaders, and the Progressive Socialist Party branch and its women's and youth institutions. MP Hamadeh delivered a speech expressing gratitude for the "support of all the loyal ones in Baaklein and the region with MP Jumblatt and the list in the recent elections, and to the choices of the people, particularly concerning the deplorable situation amidst the country currently and in confronting and dismantling all plans."
He also met with a delegation from Akkar - Jdeideh Al-Qatti, including members from the municipal council and the Progressive branch in the town, affirming "loyalty to his political and national path that transcends sects and regions." From the visitors to the Mukhayyar Palace were delegations from the Progressive Graduates Association who expressed their pride in standing alongside MP Jumblatt and supporting the upcoming phase on various fronts, and from the General Secretariat of the Progressive Youth Organization to discuss issues specific to youth and ways to address their concerns, as well as community leaders, families, and youth from the town of Mazraat Al-Chouf, similarly from the town of Einbal with the Progressive branch and the Progressive Youth Organization in the town, along with a delegation from Ain Zain in Chouf. Jumblatt also met a large youth delegation from the Baqqat area and the surrounding areas, as well as a youth delegation representing the upper Chouf region, in addition to spiritual, social, municipal and community leaders from the Chouf and Aley regions, and received a series of inquiries concerning various demands.
