BEIRUT: Progressive Socialist Party and Future Movement officials met in Iqlim Al-Kharoub Sunday to discuss ways to maintain peace and stability in the Chouf region while PSP chief MP Walid Jumblatt reiterated his commitment to the wide alliance with Hezbollah in the March 8 coalition.

In a statement released after the meeting, the Future Movement said their responsibility “was to maintain calm speech and commit to stability and place joint efforts in relieving political tensions.”

“The political reality we live in today and events surrounding us leaves us with fears and cautions us of possible implications at the local level while we live the victories of the Arab Spring,” the statement added.

They also said that the two parties shared a common view, which goes beyond “points of contention.”

“Each party has its own view point on different political issues. We connect today out of keenness to preserve our region and our relationship and mutual principles,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, PSP leader Walid Jumblatt Sunday reiterated that his party was committed to the wide political coalition, which includes Hezbollah, the Free Patriotic Movement, Amal Movement and President Michel Sleiman.

Jumblatt’s stances on several issues such as those on the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri’s 2005 assassination prompted analysts to speculate that the PSP leader could be switching alliances.

However, Jumblatt, who said he preferred to be a centrist politician, has repeated his commitment to the alliance and Sunday said that each person was entitled to his own opinion, regardless “if it varies with their political alliance.”

“There may be disagreements regarding the Syrian regime ... but what matters to me and to Talal Arslan and Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah are for Syria to remain in peace and prevent civil war,” Jumblatt said during a gathering in Chouefat that was also attended by Arslan, the head of the Lebanese Democratic Party.

Both Hezbollah and Arslan maintain, as Damascus has, that the uprising in Syria is part of a conspiracy against Syrian President Bashar Assad.

Jumblatt, on the other hand, has repeatedly urged Assad to implement reforms and launch dialogue with the opposition.