Miqati, Rifi Engage in Verbal Spat over Situation in Tripoli
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati lashed out on Monday at former Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, a day after the official urged the premier to “raise the voice” to stop the deadly clashes in Tripoli or leave his post.
Miqati expressed surprise in comments published in al-Joumhouria newspaper over Rifi's statements, saying that “Rifi's stance is political.”
“Today, Rifi is giving random advices and suggesting proposals, a matter that he never did when he was handed over important state posts,” sources close to Miqati quoted him as saying.
The sources slammed Rifi, reminding him that the first spread of arms in the northern city of Tripoli was under his auspices in May 2008 when he launched the “Brigades of Tripoli, during which he was an ISF chief.
“This suspicious acts (by Rifi) didn't end here as 15 gunbattles in the city of Tripoli occurred when he was an ISF chief,” the sources said.
Miqati wondered why Rifi didn't have these suggestion back then.
Sources close to Rifi also told al-Joumhouria newspaper that the “decision is in the hands of the residents of Tripoli to decide what this government has offered them other than violence.”
“At least Rifi had the courage to meet with the residents of Tripoli during the day, not like others that meet them at night and pay them money,” the sources added.
The verbal spat began after Miqati demanded on Sunday all Tripoli officials to assume their responsibilities towards the unrest in the city.
“Nothing is more important to me at the moment than protecting Tripoli,” he said in a statement.
Rifi later accused Miqati in a statement of carrying on with the policy of “burying his head in the sand of this conspiracy, which is being implemented in cold blood and which has led to the death of hundreds of innocents, not to mention the wounded and the economic damage.”
“What are you waiting for, Mr. Prime Minister?” Rifi added, urging Miqati to go to Tripoli, “raise the voice and take the decision to stop this crime, or else Tripoli will not accept less than your departure, you and all the negligent security and political officials.”
Sectarian clashes renewed between the rival neighborhoods of Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsen last week in hostilities that are viewed to be directly linked to the war in Syria.
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