Jumblat Signs Geagea's Petition, Ushering in New Conciliation Era

Walid Jumblat visited Samir Geagea's suburban house in Zouk Mosbeh Wednesday and signed in Sitrida Geagea's presence a parliamentary petition for the release of the Lebanese Forces commander from more than 10 years in jail at the Defense Ministry compound in Yarze. The signature of the Druze leader whose Progressive Socialist Party fielded the mightiest militia of the Muslim camp during the 1975-1990 civil war, has put a final end to the state of belligerency with Geagea and the LF, which was the Christians' main militia in the conflict. "My move brings an end to a dark chapter of Lebanon's history and sets the grounds for a new era of cooperation and national reconciliation," Jumblat said after adding his signature to the 'release-Geagea' petition. Mrs. Geagea said "I wish Samir was in my place." Jumblat's move came a week after senior aide Akram Shehayyeb signed the petition in a similar visit to Mrs. Geagea on behalf of the PSP and Jumblat's 16-man bloc in parliament. The petition now has 28 signatures from members of the 128-seat parliament. An Nahar on Wednesday quoted an authoritative Lebanese jurist as saying Premier Karami's agreement to have Geagea as a member of his 1991-1992 cabinet during former President Elias Hrawi's reign constituted a de facto renouncement of his personal status as a plaintiff in the case of his brother's 1987 assassination, for which Geagea later got a life term. Karami has been reluctant to make such a formal renouncement personally in public, a stance that stands in the way of a special parole by presidential decree, but reportedly won't affect the parliamentary petition from a legal standpoint. The petition, which proposes an amendment to a post-civil war general amnesty bill, is expected to be formally tabled for debate before parliament next week. The proposed amendment would also clear the legal way for Gen. Aoun to return to Lebanon from a13-year banishment in France