JUMBLATS

   The Jumblats are a famous family of Druze chieftains in Lebanon. They are of Kurdish origin, their name in English meaning "soul of steel." Tradition claims that the Jumblats are descended from the famous Ayyubids established by Saladin in 1171. In modern times Kemal Jumblat and now his son Walid Jumblat have played major roles in Lebanese politics. The Kurdish population in Lebanon today has been estimated to be between 75,000 and 100,000.