Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat declared Thursday that only national unity can protect the resistance.

"No weapons can protect weapons. Only the weapon of national unity is Capable of protecting weapons," Jumblat said in a welcome rally organized for freed prisoner Samir Qantar at his hometown of Abey, east of Beirut.

"There is no contradiction between the resistance, on the one hand, and freedom, independence, sovereignty, justice and history, on the other," Jumblat stressed.

"There is no contradiction between the tribunal and the resistance," he added.

He was referring to the international tribunal that would try suspects in the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafik Hariri and related crimes.

"There is no contradiction between the Taif accord and the resistance," Jumblat stressed.

The PSP leader also said "sound relations and joint respect between Syria and Lebanon do not contradict with the resistance."

Jumblat set the record by saying: "there is no contradiction between Lebanon and the resistance after agreeing gradually, through dialogue, on the defense plan."

Minister of Youth and Sport Talal Arslan, on his part, said the new cabinet's policy statement would not avoid "recognizing legitimacy of the resistance."

"The dream that has come true by liberating Samir Qantar and other prisoners is the striking evidence that the resistance is capable of accomplishing miracles," Arslan told the crowded rally.

He paid tribute to Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah, saying Mount Lebanon would always back "the Islamic resistance."