BEIRUT: Syria’s current security strategy needs to give way to dialogue that can lead to a multi-party political system that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people, Progressive Socialist Party leader Waldi Jumblatt said Monday, stressing that the violence needed to cease.

“The series of developments and events in Syria have proven that the [current] security strategy and violence cannot continue to solve the current situation. There must be a new strategy based on dialogue considering it is the only way to find solutions to the issues at hand to build a resilient country,” Jumblatt said in his weekly statement to be published Tuesday in Al Anbaa newspaper.

Jumblatt, who left to Russia accompanied by Public Works Minister Ghazi Aridi Monday, added that the new strategy should protect Syria’s unity, diversity and stability while affirming its Arab identity and meeting the Syrian people’s ambitions and its vision for a better future.

Syria has been rocked by continuous anti-government protests since mid-march, despite a violent security crackdown by Syrian authorities. President Bashar Assad has repeatedly described these demonstrations as part of a conspiracy against the state, but has promised to implement a full series of reforms.

“The reforms should lead the way to a multi-party system by reviewing the Constitution and possibly draft a new [one], just like President Assad said himself ... speeding up the route of dialogue to develop a rescue plan for the next stage which would include all members of the opposition,” Jumblatt said.

In his previous weekly statement, the PSP leader urged Assad to launch reforms and a national dialogue in the hope of resolving the current situation in Syria

Jumblatt also said that the Syrian people had great potential that needed to be put to use by building a modern Syria and avoiding further violence which eliminates any chance of dialogue or real peace.