Tripoli Religious, Civil Figures Reject Arms Proliferation, Jihad Calls

Religious and civil figures from Tripoli on Monday rejected the proliferation of arms in their restive city and condemned the latest calls for “jihad” in Syria that were voiced by Lebanese Sunni clerics.

There is a need to “spare the Lebanese arena any domestic conflict that might be sparked by the events in Syria,” said a statement issued by the dignitaries after a meeting at Dar al-Fatwa in the northern city.

"Tripoli has never been and will never be a refuge or sanctuary for any elements who resort to violence or attack any person over his creed, religion, sect or even political views," said the statement.

And as they slammed Hizbullah for “opening the door to fighting and jihad in Syria,” the religious and civil figures said they understand the reactions of rival parties, stressing the need to “control the border in Akkar, Bekaa and Hermel.”

However, the dignitaries stressed that no figure should voice unilateral calls that could “implicate the city in things that are not in the interest of its residents.”

Separately, the figures underlines that “the absurd war between Jabal Mohsen and Bab al-Tabbaneh must not pop its head again at any given moment, as it is a destructive, meaningless war.”

“We want security in our streets, schools and public facilities and we join our voices to reject any weapons that appear in the city at any occasion, for whatever reason and regardless of the party carrying them. The display and use of arms are religiously impermissible,” the statement added.

"Anyone carrying a weapon is a sinner and a law violator and we urge security and political officials not to be lax in shouldering their responsibilities and arresting gunmen,” it said.

The Tripoli figures threatened “escalatory steps” and warned that a civil disobedience might be declared should the current situation persist.

Salafist cleric Sheikh Salem al-Rafehi of Tripoli announced recently that he has decided to “send men and weapons in support of our Sunni brothers in Qusayr.”

He called on "all Sunni men to be fully prepared ahead of sending the first batch (of fighters) to perform the jihadist duty in Qusayr.”

Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmed al-Asir, the imam of Sidon's Bilal bin Rabah Mosque, has also announced the creation of the “Free Resistance Brigades,” urging whoever is capable of heading to Syria to go there to aid “the oppressed” in Qusayr and Homs.

He also called for fundraising in order to finance jihadist fighters seeking to enter Syria “to support our people.”

The calls were rejected by the mainstream rebel Free Syrian Army and by several Lebanese leaders including President Michel Suleiman and former premier Saad Hariri.