Qahwaji, Rifi Thwart Tripoli Rallies Planning to Burn Nasrallah, Aoun Posters

Army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji and Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi have agreed to thwart rallies in support of Rifi in the northern port city of Tripoli, An Nahar newspaper reported on Wednesday.

An Nahar said that the protestors were planning to burn posters of Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun at the city’s main squares.

The newspaper did not say who had planned the rallies.

Hizbullah and Aoun have accused Rifi's police force of using a third GSM network for their personal ends.

The ISF chief is facing legal action linked to the alleged secret network after President Michel Suleiman referred the case to the justice ministry on Monday.

Rifi’s supporters clashed with members of Tripoli municipality police on Tuesday during the removal of banners supporting the ISF chief.