Miqati, Rifi Engage in Verbal Spat over Situation in Tripoli
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati lashed out on Monday at former Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, a day after the official urged the premier to “raise the voice” to stop the deadly clashes in Tripoli or leave his post.
Miqati expressed surprise in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper over Rifi's statements, saying that “Rifi's stance is political.”
“Today, Rifi is giving random advices and suggesting proposals, a matter that he never did when he was handed over important state posts,” sources close to Miqati quoted him as saying.
The sources slammed Rifi, reminding him that the first spread of arms in the northern city of Tripoli was under his auspices in May 2008 when he launched the “Brigades of Tripoli, during which he was an ISF chief.
“This suspicious acts (by Rifi) didn't end here as 15 gunbattles in the city of Tripoli occurred when he was an ISF chief,” the sources said.
Miqati wondered why Rifi didn't have these suggestion back then.
Sources close to Rifi also told al-Joumhouria newspaper that the “decision is in the hands of the residents of Tripoli to decide what this government has offered them other than violence.”
“At least Rifi had the courage to meet with the residents of Tripoli during the day, not like others that meet them at night and pay them money,” the sources added.
The verbal spat began after Miqati demanded on Sunday all Tripoli officials to assume their responsibilities towards the unrest in the city.
“Nothing is more important to me at the moment than protecting Tripoli,” he said in a statement.
Rifi later accused Miqati in a statement of carrying on with the policy of “burying his head in the sand of this conspiracy, which is being implemented in cold blood and which has led to the death of hundreds of innocents, not to mention the wounded and the economic damage.”
“What are you waiting for, Mr. Prime Minister?” Rifi added, urging Miqati to go to Tripoli, “raise the voice and take the decision to stop this crime, or else Tripoli will not accept less than your departure, you and all the negligent security and political officials.”
Sectarian clashes renewed between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen last week in hostilities that are viewed to be directly linked to the war in Syria.
02 December 2013, 08:33
37
Riffi is absolutely right in everything he said. Miqati represents only himself. He was appointed by HA and carries zero weight in his own community.
02 December 2013, 09:51
32
Mikati is worthless and a disaster as PM and Rifi is setting the stage to take Mikati's seat in Parliament.
Both are correct ... Mikati has been stonewalling a real solution in Tripoli and Rifi has ample opportunity to handle the situation in Tripoli.
Two more worthless and corrupt politicians ... Both are nothing more than opportunists preying on the people of Lebanon ... They deserve each other.
02 December 2013, 15:53
10
bashing only hizbIran, stop changing reality so it suits ur argumentation. Lebanese are fed up of Hizbos but Christians don't want to get involved in the sunni-shia fighting for realpolitik reasons.
02 December 2013, 16:38
00
Only a fool would elect Rifi to higher office in this political climate. The unfortunate fact is that Miqati has done about as well as he could given the War in Syria and the incompatibility of March 8 and March 14 in Lebanon. If you People were wise , you would take this opportunity to push Riffi_Raff out the door. The man has demonstrated he has no respect for rule of law and is ill suited for an elected position in a Democratic Government even in a place as dysfunctional as Lebanon.
