Jumblat Questions Attempts to Tarnish Tripoli's Image: Its Residents are Proud of its Diversity
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat slammed on Tuesday attempts to target the image of the northern city of Tripoli, saying that it embraces coexistence among its people.
He said in his weekly editorial in the PSP-affiliated al-Anbaa website: “The residents of Tripoli have long been proud of their city's diversity.”
“Statements of condemnation are no longer sufficient in saving Tripoli from the bloody clashes and political, social, and economic problems it is facing,” he added.
“Tripoli and Lebanon's interests require that this city preserves its diversity,” he stressed, while noting that the recent torching of the al-Saeh Library was aimed at targeting this image.
“We condemn this act, which will not alter Tripoli's social structure that has long been based on coexistence among various sects and political affiliations,” said Jumblat.
Why is Tripoli being portrayed as a hub for extremist thought? wondered the MP.
“This city can only live through the coexistence of its minorities and through the protection of its diversity,” he stated.
Unknown assailants torched on Friday Father Ibrahim Sarrouj's historical al-Saeh library after reports claimed that he had published an article deemed insulting to Islam.
Bashir Hazzouri, an employee at the library, was shot and wounded on Thursday in the old souks of Tripoli.
Al-Saeh Library is considered one of the most renowned libraries in Tripoli and the second largest in Lebanon.
Sarrouj says the library contains more than 80,000 books.
Political and religious figures from Tripoli were quick to condemn the incident, saying that it contradicts Islam and that the city will remain that of coexistence.
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