By Rita Boustani
Daily Star staff

Progressive Socialist Party President Walid Jumblatt plans to propose a national referendum on Syria’s presence in Lebanon, the first move of its kind since the late President Hafez Assad sent in his army in 1976, An-Nahar reported Tuesday.
The Druze leader revealed his intention in a taped interview with BBC’s Tim Sebastian in London, where Jumblatt is visiting. The segment is scheduled for airing on Sebastian’s “Hard Talk” show next Monday, An-Nahar said.
The issue came up during a dialogue over Syria’s presence. Sebastian asked Jumblat to explain his statements two years ago supporting Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Butros Sfeir’s demand for an outright withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon. “I did not second the patriarch’s demand for the withdrawal of the Syrian army from Lebanon,” Jumblatt responded. “I said the Syrians should not interfere in all aspects of the Lebanese political life.”
Jumblatt then said, “Let’s hold a referendum, let’s do it.” Sebastian asked, “Do you really want that?” Jumblatt said, “Why not?” Sebastian asked, “Will you do that in Parliament?” and Jumblatt again said, “Why not?”
“Are you going to do that?” Sebastian asked. “Yes,” said Jumblatt. “Are you going to call for a referendum upon your return to Beirut?” the interviewer asked. “Well, I am ready,” Jumblatt responded.
Obviously seeking to leave no loopholes for Jumblatt to wriggle out of the proposal once he is back in Beirut, Sebastian asked, “Are you pledging in this program that you will call for a referendum?”
“I like confrontation. I am ready for any kind of challenges,” Jumblatt shot back.
Commenting on the issue, Jbeil MP Fares Soueid, who is also part of the Qornet Shehwan Gathering, issued a statement supporting Jumblatt’s proposal provided the referendum was implemented under international supervision.