BEIRUT: A new secretary-general for Walid Jumblatt’s Progressive Socialist Party took the reins Wednesday in a handing-over ceremony at PSP’s headquarters in the Beirut neighborhood of Wata al-Msaitbeh.

Former PSP Secretary General Sharif Fayyad, who held the post for 25 years, handed over his position to Zafer Nasser, a 31-year-old Shiite from the Western Bekaa town of Qelya.

Referring to Nasser during the ceremony, Fayyad said that a “young, qualified and mature comrade” would assume his post.

“He proved his leverage before the party’s officials and gained their trust … I am confident that he will gain the confidence of supporters as well and he will make bold and significant steps forward in managing party affairs and public affairs,” Fayyad added.

“The Progressive Socialist Party will remain a beacon of intellect, culture and creativity and in the forefront of national work and the safety valve during crises,” the PSP official added.

Fayyad outlined a number of portfolios that Nasser would be managing in his new post.

Among these are Palestine, parliamentary and local elections and relations with internal and external parties.

Attending the ceremony were Minister for the Displaced Alaaeddine Terro, a PSP official, Taymour Jumblatt, the son Walid Jumblatt and a host of PSP officials.

For his part, Nasser acknowledged that he was assuming a “big responsibility.” He said: “Today, I do not take over a post, but really a big responsibility, given its size and its role.

“It is a big responsibility because it is in the party of institutions … the party of woman … the party of civics and proper upbringing … the party of workers, farmers and employees … and the party of young people,” Nasser said. At the end of his speech, Nasser made an oath to “continue the path,” to be “faithful” and to work with everyone.

Nasser was elected unopposed during a meeting for the new PSP command council last week.

During a PSP general assembly in late October, Jumblatt, who won the party’s top post unopposed, said that this would be his final term and that he would not run as PSP leader in any future election.

The general assembly saw the election of a new command council which included many young members.

Jumblatt, 62, assumed the PSP presidency in 1977 following the assassination of his father Kamal, the founder of the party.

Jumblatt promised that the PSP’s top post would not be occupied by his son.