Jumblatt upsetting balance in Beirut?

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- The Friday attendance by members of the Lebanese Progressive Socialist Party at a Hezbollah rally will not upset the political balance in Beirut, officials say.

Druze leader Walid Jumblatt is expected to attend a Hezbollah rally in south Beirut on Friday. Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah is scheduled to address supporters to commemorate the so-called victory over Israeli forces in the 34-day war in 2006.

Jumblatt, the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, announced an end to his alliance with ruling March 14 last week, saying his "necessary" partnership with the Western-backed coalition had concluded.

Prime Minister-designate Saad Hariri led his March14 alliance to victory in the June parliamentary elections, pledging to work swiftly to form a new unity government.

Hezbollah and its opposition supporters backed a power-sharing agreement that gives 15 ministers to March 14, 10 to opposition lawmakers and five to supporters of Lebanese President Michel Suleiman.

The Jumblatt defection, however, may create difficulties for Hariri as he tries to develop his government, Lebanon's Daily Star newspaper reports.

Rami Rayess, the spokesman for the PSP, stressed the move by Jumblatt and his appearance at the Hezbollah rally, however, would not influence his position on the power-sharing agreement or his relations with the March 14 majority.

A decision on the government is not expected in August as Lebanon prepares to honor the holy month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to begin Aug. 22.