Rifaat Eid Stresses: No Intention to Escalate Situation in Lebanon

A leading member of the Arab Democratic Party, Rifaat Eid, stressed on Wednesday that the party has no intention to escalate the situation in Lebanon, pointing out that political settlements are always held “on our blood.”

“There is no political interest for any Lebanese side to escalate the security situation,” Eid said in comments published in the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat.

He criticized “allies” that asked them to flee the northern city of Tripoli, saying: “Political settlements are always struck on our blood because we are the weakest, but I don't want to embarrass anyone.”

“We received phone calls from several sides to express condolences, urging us not to escalate on the pretext of safeguarding the country,” Eid revealed.

On Tuesday, residents of the Syrian side of the border town of Hikr al-Daheri held a funeral for Bader Eid, the brother of Arab Democratic Party leader Ali Eid – who was shot dead Monday in the Akkar town of al-Kuweikhat.

Ali Eid and his son Rifaat, who are both wanted by Lebanese authorities on terror offenses, took part in the funeral procession.

Asked about the arrest warrants against him and his father Ali, Rifaat said: “Everyone knows our whereabouts... There are no life time convictions in Lebanon... All sentences against politicians and officials didn't take their legal way.”

Eid accused those who carried out the August 2013 mosque bombings in Tripoli of being behind the murder of his uncle.

Rifaat has been sentenced in absentia to life imprisonment with hard labor over incitement of violence between the rival Tripoli neighborhoods of Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh.

He was also convicted of distributing arms and inciting murder.

Eid has had several arrest warrants issued against him over the fighting between the two neighborhoods.

His father Ali is also accused of helping fugitives behind the suicide bombings that targeted the Tripoli mosques.

H.K.

G.K.