Head of Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party Walid Jumblat defused on Sunday tensions in the country in wake of uproar sparked by the Syrian regime’s order that Druze clerics seeking to enter its territory obtain a “mandatory” permit. The former MP had stoked the tensions in a series of tweets last week that had condemned the move. He later deleted them and tweeted Saturday night that he “retracted some comments about heading to Syria.” “To be frank, it does not matter how people go or do not go to Syria,” he added, while expressing his respect to Druze senior cleric Nasserddine al-Gharib. “I hope that comrades and supporters will disregard statements made here and there and that we do not become embroiled in marginal disputes,” he continued. The regime had ordered that Druze clerics seeking entry into Syria obtain a permit with their name. The permit must be signed by Gharib, who is known for his affiliation to Damascus. Jumblat’s consequent uproar prompted tweets in response from other Druze figures in Lebanon, notably MP Talal Arslan and former MP Wiam Wahhab, both known for their support for the regime. Wahhab and Arslan, however, deleted their tweets soon after Jumblat did. Arslan said his move was at the request of Druze clerics. Lebanese critics of the regime said that Damascus’ order recalled its years of hegemony over Lebanon when it directly meddled in its internal affairs.
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