Interior Minister Praises Rifi’s ‘Decency’, Vows to Consolidate Security

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said Wednesday that his priority was to consolidate security and strengthen ties of confidence between the Internal Security Forces and the citizens.

“I am a minister for all of Lebanon and with the presidency in general,” Charbel stressed to Voice of Lebanon radio station.

Answering a question about his relations with ISF Chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, the minister vowed to “open a new page” and “never return to the past.”

His predecessor, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud, was in a continuous state of squabbling with Rifi over his rejection to abide by his orders. The latest dispute erupted last month when the ISF chief rejected to withdraw his forces from a building affiliated with the Telecommunications Ministry.

Charbel praised Rifi’s “decent” reputation and the “deep ties” between them during their service in the ISF. The minister is a retired ISF Major General.

He stressed to VDL that the interior ministry’s doors will be open to all the Lebanese.

Concerning the new elections law, Charbel said that he will work on a law based on proportional representation that “gives all the citizens their equal rights.”