Rifi Launches Initiative for Tripoli, Says Only State Must Tackle Security Problems

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, the former head of Internal Security Forces, on Sunday launched an initiative for Tripoli, his hometown, in a bid to address the turbulent security situation in the northern city.

The initiative comes "after Tripoli managed to prevent a twentieth round of violence" between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen, Rifi said.

Under the initiative, "none of the parties should resort to arms and must leave security solutions to the state and its judicial and military authorities," Rifi added.

The ex-ISF chief, who is influential in the northern city, stressed the need to “allow Tripoli's residents to practice their normal life through restoring the economic and commercial cycles.”

Rifi called for "paying compensations to those affected by the incidents that hit Tripoli and exerting efforts to end the typical belligerent atmosphere that is engulfing the tense neighborhoods.”

The minister underline the importance of “expediting the execution of developmental projects in Tripoli and its lower-class neighborhoods and providing job opportunities for young people so that they can secure a decent and stable life.”

Rifi noted that he would follow up on his initiative with all relevant officials, urging everyone to “contribute to breaking the cycle of death and violence in Tripoli and resorting to the state and only the state.”

The assassination on Thursday of Abdul Rahman Youssef Diab -- a Jabal Mohsen leader and the father of one of those charged with staging the bombings that hit al-Taqwa and al-Salam mosques – had sparked low-intensity clashes with Bab al-Tabbaneh.

But on Saturday, Arab Democratic Party political relations official Rifaat Eid announced that “Jabal Mohsen's people are reasonable people and the 48-hour ultimatum was aimed at appeasing the Alawite community,” after the party warned state authorities to arrest Diab's killers within two days or face consequences.