Rifi Slams Jubilation over Yabrud, Says to Seek Hizbullah Syria Exit in State Institutes
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi on Sunday announced that his priority in the new cabinet will be seeking the withdrawal of Hizbullah from Syria, describing the fall of the Syrian rebel bastion of Yabrud as an “illusionary” victory and slamming the celebrations of Hizbullah's supporters in several Lebanese areas.
“In the wake of the successive events in Syria, the last of which was what happened in the town of Yabrud and the cross-border exodus into Arsal, we reiterate our warning against this rejected involvement in Syrian affairs, which exposes Lebanon to a definite danger,” Rifi said in a communique.
“Accordingly, the top priority of our work in state institutions will be demanding the withdrawal of Hizbullah from Syria, as well as everyone who was involved in the fighting there, in addition to dismantling autonomous security and deploying the army and security forces on the border, especially in the Arsal region and its surroundings and on the northern border with Syria,” Rifi added.
Addressing the jubilation in some Lebanese areas that are sympathetic to Hizbullah over Yabrud's fall, Rifi condemned what he described as “show-off celebrations.”
“Days will prove that these victories are ephemeral and illusionary,” Rifi said, noting that the jubilation acts have become “a detestable tradition of dancing over the blood of the innocent Syrian people and over the ruins of its devastated cities.”
Celebrations “lack wisdom and will lead to aggravating the sentiments of division and hatred,” Rifi warned.
The Syrian army and Hizbullah seized full control of the rebel bastion Yabrud earlier on Sunday, dealing the opposition a heavy symbolic and strategic blow in the Qalamoun region adjoining the Lebanese border.
In addition to its symbolic importance, the town is a key strategic prize because of its proximity to the highway and the Lebanese border, across which rebels have smuggled fighters and weapons.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based group relying on a network of contacts inside Syria, said Hizbullah had led the operation.
The town's seizure could also place new pressure on Lebanon's Arsal, which is hosting at least 51,000 Syrian refugees, many from the Qalamoun region.
Sunni Arsal is largely sympathetic to the Sunni-led uprising, and rebel fighters are believed to have bases in areas around the town, which are regularly targeted by Syrian war planes.
Yabrud's capture was celebrated in Damascus by hundreds of residents who took to the streets to celebrate. And in Lebanon, Hizbullah supporters fired celebratory gunshots in the air in Beirut and its southern suburbs. They also distributed sweets and roamed streets in jubilant convoys.
Hizbullah's involvement in Syria has prompted retaliatory bomb and rocket attacks by extremist groups against areas in Lebanon sympathetic to the movement. The attacks have mostly killed civilians.
The group and Lebanese security forces have said many of the car bombs used in those attacks originated in Yabrud.
16 March 2014, 22:25
198
Protecting lebanon 2all... Protecting a dictator, assassin in syria and lebanon and bringing a sectarian war over lebanon, bravo...
And they are asking themselve about putting "the resistance" (hezballah or "islamic resistance" wy not call them by their official name) in the ministerial statement...
What a banana republic...
16 March 2014, 22:31
12
That's funny ya Rifi and ya terrorist because I clearly remember the people of Tripoli giving out sweets following the terrorist bombings in Beirut to celebrate the death of their fellow countrymen where as these people are celebrating Hezbollah and Syrian army's victory over terrorist organizations who mainly consist of foreigners. PS my mum is from Tripoli and she is truly ashamed of what people like terrorist who have tarnished the image of Tripoli.
16 March 2014, 23:20
55
We should be happy if Yabroud was cleaning by SAA possibly. But not by Lebanese. Arsal needs a good cleaning I agree but so does Dahiyeh of any weapons.
17 March 2014, 05:30
24
I agree with you but unfortunately the army either is not able to, or they are not willing to sacrifice the soldiers' lives. Do we sit around and wait until they can do something or do we allow those that can to take care of it like they did in Saida?
I think we all know by now that the army surrounded Assir's barracks in Saida and let Hezb do their thing after civilians were evacuated. The problem this time is that it isn't just one area in Arsal like it was in Saida....it's the whole village
16 March 2014, 23:43
13
mkhashkhash = Rifi = Dr. Arreet 7akeh. Send them to the asylum for the mentally unstable ASAP.
17 March 2014, 00:05
13
Considering he was providing the terrorists in Syria with weapons, logistics and previously an illegal telecommunications network, he really shouldn't be talking.
He destroyed Tripoli with his support of terrorists, he destroyed Arsal and he is trying to do the same with Lebanon. He really should be in jail not Justice Minister.
17 March 2014, 01:59
14
Yes congratulations to HA for yet another in a string of Divine Victories. With the fall of Yabrud, look at the blessings on Lebanon. We will now get more refugees as a consequence of the win to add to our already overloaded refugee problem, and, as an added bonus, retaliatory car bombings in Lebanon from the Syrian opposition.
Yes, thank you one Million times to Hezbollah for the plague that it keeps bringing to Lebanon. It is the gift of the culture of death that keeps on giving. Mabrook!!
17 March 2014, 05:32
43
This actually will greatly diminish the likelihood of those car bombings. Just wait and see. HA and the army have basically blockaded Arsal, the last region where these car bombers have been coming from, and the only successful operation might be against those checkpoints that directly surrounds Arsal. I don't think you'll be seeing anymore bombings in Dahieh.
17 March 2014, 06:05
33
How about turning your back to HA/Iran/KSA/Takfiris and work on achieving victories for Lebanon (not Syria) and seal Lebanon's borders to all (not just to Takfiris).
Be Lebanese or be forthcoming about your true nationality.
17 March 2014, 12:04
32
@Southern : Hezbollah is suppose to be defending our borders from these terrorist according to your Kezeb in Chief Hassan Nasrallah. Why are you happy and cheering about Yabroud then which is a victory for the Syrian Regime ? A Syrian Regime which is the number 1 murderer of Lebanese people !
If you are there to defend Lebanon, then you have nothing to cheer about !
17 March 2014, 14:44
31
Here's a better solution Mr. Rifi: let's push for transferring ALL of Hizb's members to Syria, and then set up a decent border control to make sure they never come back.
17 March 2014, 15:05
03
Hi Maxx
just curious why the purple on the Lebanese flag? any special meaning?
17 March 2014, 20:16
11
It is a shame the Hizbullah frees Syria; however, the Party of God allows full Israeli control of the Farms. This shows how much they have changed since their much more independent beginnings.
