Walid Jumblatt

Jumblatt inherited the leadership of the Progressive Socialist Party (PSP) after his father, Kamal Jumblatt, was assassinated in March 1977. He became the political leader of the Druze community in Lebanon at age 28.

Jumblatt led Druze militias in the Mountain War against the Lebanese Forces and the Lebanese Army in September 1983. The conflict resulted in the PSP's control of the Chouf and Aley districts, leading to the displacement of thousands of Christians.

After the death of Hafez al-Assad, Jumblatt shifted from a pro-Syrian stance to opposition. He became a leading figure in the 2005 Cedar Revolution, calling for Syrian withdrawal from Lebanon and the end of Syrian influence.

Jumblatt was a key leader of the March 14 Alliance, formed after the Cedar Revolution. The alliance won the 2005 parliamentary elections and pushed for anti-Syrian policies, though it later fractured over political differences.

Jumblatt announced his party's neutrality in the Syrian Civil War in 2012, distancing from the March 14 Alliance's support for Syrian rebels. This shift preserved Druze interests and avoided direct conflict with the Syrian government.