Rifi Names as 'Traitor' Anyone Who Fails to Attend Election Sessions
Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi considered as “traitor” anyone who fails to attend the parliamentary sessions aiming at electing a new head of state and fill-out the one year long vacuum.
“Anyone who does not take part in the sessions to elect a president is a traitor. The vacuum has created a huge gap in the political security umbrella,” said Rifi in a press interview on Saturday.
“We will not let the Iranian project link itself to electing a president.”
Lebanon has been living since May 2014, when the term of president Michel Suleiman ended, a vacuum at the top state post due to the failure of rival parties to agree on a consensual president.
Furthermore, Rifi stressed that “the northeastern town of Arsal is a red line,” in reference to fears that the town might be used as a conduit for militants fighting in neighboring Syria to cross into Lebanon.
The latest clashes in Syria's al-Qalamoun, between Hizbullah and militants from the Islamic State and al-Nusra Front, take place close to the border of Arsal.
Rifi called on Hizbullah to “stop betting on the expanding Persian project and to return from Syria to preserve Lebanon.”
Hizbullah has been fighting along the ranks of the Syrian regime against the IS and al-Nusra Front, a situation that inflicted severe damage on Lebanon and bordering towns.
“Delusional are those who believe that we accept any sacrilege against Arsal. The town is a red line,” stressed the minister, assuring that each part of Lebanon will be preserved and protected.
He hailed the families of Arsal saying: “Arsal families are just like the families of Tripoli, they have both shown that their priority is the state and Arsal is not isolated from the nation.”
D.A.
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