Jumblatt creates Lebanese-Druze lineage by passing leadership onto son

Lebanese Walid Jumblatt passed on the leadership of his political party to his son, Taymour, during the 40th anniversary of his father's death on Sunday.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

20 March, 2017

Kamal Jumblatt was shot dead along with his driver and bodyguard in 1977 [Anadolu]

The main leader of Lebanon's Druze population confirmed his son as political heir at a commemoration event for his father's assassination in Moukhtara on Sunday.

Walid Jumblatt will continue to serve as an MP and leader of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP)until the next elections, when he will step down in favour of his son, Taymour.

"Walk forward with your head held high, and carry the legacy of your grandfather," Walid said to his son on the fortieth anniversary of his father's assassination.

"Carry the heritage of your wonderful grandfather and raise high the banner of occupied Arab Palestine."

Kamal Jumblatt, Walid's father and Taymour's grandfather, founded the PSP and fought to establish a non-sectarian political system in Lebanon that also respected the rights of Palestinians.

To signify Kamal's continued support for the Palestinian cause, Walid placed a traditional Palestinian kuffiyah scarf over Taymour's shoulders.

"Walk forward with your head held high, and carry the legacy of your grandfather," Jumblatt said.

"Carry the heritage of your wonderful grandfather and raise high the banner of occupied Arab Palestine."

Kamal Jumblatt was shot and killed along with his driver and bodyguard during the early days of the Lebanese civil war in 1977.

Walid Jumblatt has publicly accused the previous Syria president, Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father of murdering his father.

After the assassination of his father, Walid Jumblatt took over the political leadership and was became of the main figures in the conflict.