Walid Jumblatt steps down as head of Druze political party after 46-year tenure

Jumblatt played a pivotal role in Lebanese politics post-civil war.

1 min read

Lebanon

25 May, 2023

It is still unclear what prompted Jumblatt's announcement of his resignation [Getty]

Walid Jumblatt, a Druze militia leader during the Lebanese civil war turned politician, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down as head of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP), a position he held since 1977.

Jumblatt said a party conference would be held on June 25 to select a new leader.

Jumblatt has been the military and political leader of the Druze sect in Lebanon since the death of his father, PSP founder Kamal Jumblatt.

He has played a pivotal role in Lebanese politics post-civil war, playing kingmaker among other political leaders like Nabih Berri, Samir Geagea, Hassan Nasrallah, and Michel Aoun.

Jumblatt did not name a possible successor, but he has been known to have been grooming his son, MP Taymour Jumblatt to take over the party leadership.