BEIRUT: Tensions ran high during Thursday's Cabinet session as Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi and Minister of State Mohammad Fneish clashed over Rifi's recent accusations that Hezbollah was guilty of tax evasion and money laundering.
Walking out of the regular Cabinet session, Rifi, a member of the Future Movement, reiterated to reporters his conviction that “Hezbollah evades taxes on Beirut’s port” and “engages in money laundering.”
During the session, Rifi clashed with Hezbollah’s Fneish, who responded to the accusations by saying: “You are the justice minister, if you have evidence disclose it. If not, then you are lying.”
Rifi told journalists that Hezbollah was establishing a statelet inside Lebanon, engaging in money-related corruption and protecting the murderers of late Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
The Special Tribunal for Lebanon, which is responsible for identifying and sentencing those behind the 2005 assassination of Hariri, has indicted five Hezbollah members. However, the party has refused to acknowledge the authority of the tribunal or to turn over the defendants.
The Future Movement and Hezbollah had agreed Wednesday during their latest dialogue session to bury recent tensions and restore the momentum of previous meeting.
During the session, Prime Minister Tammam Salam briefed ministers on his meeting with the vice president of the United Arab Emirates over the weekend, where he raised the issue of the Lebanese families who were recently deported from the Gulf country, Information Minister Ramzi Joreige said after the meeting.
The premier said the matter will be followed up on the official level and the necessary calls will be made with the Emirati authorities.
Cabinet approved budget transactions for a number of ministries, accepted the nominations of new foreign ambassadors and approved the appointment of Lebanese University staff.
The council of ministers also extended the contract of the company responsible for examining all motorized vehicles in Lebanon for three additional months.
Environment Minister Mohammad Machnouk’s request to call May 5 "Sea Turtles Day" in Lebanon was also approved, according to Joreige.
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