Rifi: We're Still at Beginning of Storm, Those Who Wage Jihad Must Expect Counter-Jihad
Former Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi said the deadly twin bombings that hit Tripoli on Friday are “a chance for us, as Lebanese, to shoulder our responsibilities in protecting our people, whether in Dahieh, Tripoli or anywhere else.”
“I had warned all officials seven months ago that Lebanon had entered the storm, and unfortunately every party engaged in a scheme until things reached this extent,” Rifi said in a phone interview with LBCI television.
Earlier on Friday, scores of people were killed or wounded in twin bombings that targeted two mosques in Tripoli, one near the apartment of Rifi who, according to media reports, was lightly wounded in the hand.
The attacks come eight days after 27 people were killed and around 300 wounded in a car bombing that rocked the Beirut southern suburb of Ruwais, a Hizbullah bastion.
“We are still at the beginning of the storm and I warn again that we must think how to protect the country from the storm that has become very dangerous,” Rifi added.
When asked on what he based his warning to officials seven months ago, Rifi said: “It was based on information and we are security experts.”
“Those who wage jihad in a certain place must expect counter-jihad. Every action has a reaction,” the ex-ISF chief added.
“We tell the Lebanese and all officials that the threats will target everyone … We must all realize the presence of these threats and no one should rejoice for the death of the other as danger will target everyone. I call on officials to realize the threats that we have brought to the country and to exert efforts to fend them off,” Rifi, who hails from Tripoli, said.
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