TRIPOLI, Lebanon: Tripoli leaders united in their support for the Lebanese Army Saturday, with Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi working to ensure that no local figures provide safe haven to any militants involved in clashes rocking the northern capital.
Speaking to reporters after he met with several political figures including Future Movement lawmakers from Tripoli, Rifi said: "We should do our job to prevent anyone from destabilizing security in Tripoli."
"Any illegitimate armed movement is condemned, not [provided] covered by us or anyone and does not enjoy a safe haven. We are a safe haven for the Lebanese state, the Army and legitimate security forces."
"We are responsible for the security situation in Tripoli and we will defuse this landmine. ... We will not be dragged into chaos and our only bet is on the state,” he said, adding that he was in contact with civil society groups to help end the clashes.
"I will contact all figures in Tripoli to prevent any embrace of an illegitimate group,” he said.
In response to a question, Rifi told reporters that he was personally against the idea of turning his hometown of Tripoli into a military zone.
Rifi also said that Tripoli, Lebanon's second largest city, "was not a mailbox for anyone to send messages" or a battlefield in the Syria or Iraq conflicts.
Rifi, a retired security chief, held the gathering at his home hours after North Lebanon Mufti Malek al-Shaar convened a meeting of Tripoli’s political and religious figures at Dar al-Fatwa to address the situation in the city.
The attendees released a statement, voicing their undying support for the Army and urging the government to help Tripoli residents in impoverished areas.
"The attendees reaffirmed their support for the Army and security forces, and the duty of politicians is to preserve the peace and the safety of civilians,” Shaar said, reading the statement.
"We have always voiced our support for the security plans to restore peace to the city. What was left is for the Higher Relief Committee to help the poor people and provide [them] with decent living conditions.”
Tripoli residents have complained that the government has failed to compensate for residents affected by several rounds of clashes in the city over the past four years.
"We have great confidence in the Army and its wisdom and we are also confident that Tripoli residents will treat the Army in a good manner.”
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