Latest news with #AshrafRifi
LBCI
12-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Kataeb official Sassine Sassine urges Beirut voters to respect existing agreement among political factions
Sassine Sassine, adviser to the leader of the Kataeb Party, said that a significant shift has taken place in Lebanese public sentiment, noting that most citizens have come to realize that illegal weapons have failed to protect anyone. Commenting on the ongoing municipal and mukhtar elections, Sassine emphasized that the process is a constitutional duty and that the Lebanese state is doing everything possible to ensure the elections are successful. "The Kataeb Party is satisfied with the way things are progressing," he said. Regarding the Beirut elections, Sassine acknowledged the proposal made by General Ashraf Rifi concerning the two Beirut districts, describing it as a fair approach that aims to represent all sides. Nonetheless, he noted that such a discussion requires a "calm fire" — a Lebanese expression implying thoughtful and patient dialogue—to reach true consensus. He also urged Beirut voters to respect the existing agreement among the city's political and community factions. In Zahle, Sassine said the lack of an electoral alliance between the Kataeb and the Lebanese Forces was due to decisions made by local Lebanese Forces officials in the district. However, he clarified that the Kataeb maintains regular communication with the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) leadership nationwide. "It is through open dialogue with all parties that we can rebuild the country," he concluded.
L'Orient-Le Jour
10-05-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Number of voters, regions, competing lists: Your cheat sheet on municipal elections in North Lebanon and Akkar
With just a few hours to go before the municipal elections in North Lebanon, the second round of voting this month, L'Orient-Le Jour put together a guide before the start of voting in the governorates of North Lebanon and Akkar. Here is everything to know about the municipal elections: Some figures on the municipal councils to be elected in North Lebanon and Akkar This Sunday, from the moment the polling stations open at 7 a.m., voters from North Lebanon and Akkar are called to vote to elect municipal councils and mokhtars (local officials). Here are some facts and figures to remember about this voting day. - The entire northern region of Lebanon is divided into two governorates: North Lebanon, which includes six districts, and Akkar. In total, across these two major administrative areas, 288 municipal councils will be elected. - The number of municipal councils for each region is divided as follows: In North Lebanon: Batroun: 31 municipal councils; Koura: 37 municipal councils; Minya-Dinniyeh: 37 municipal councils; Bsharri: 12 municipal councils; Zgharta: 32 municipal councils; Tripoli: five municipal councils, including that of the major city of the same name. In different regions, several municipal councils were elected unopposed due to a lack of competition at the closure of nominations. These include, in Batroun: Douma, Rashkida, Beit Shelala; in Zgharta: Eyaal, Haret al-Fouar, Raskifa, Arjis, Kfarhata, and Kfarfou; in Koura: Baakftein, Beshmezine, Bsarma, Baataboura, Darshmezin, Aafsaddiq, Batroumin, Kousba, Kfar Saroun, and Rashdibin. In total, approximately 648,600 voters are called to mobilize during the day in the governorate. In Akkar: the governorate is made up of a single large district, which includes 134 municipalities where new councils are to be elected. The total number of voters in Akkar amounts to 325,968. What are the major lists in different regions of northern Lebanon? For more details on the major battles to follow, read the following analysis here: In Tripoli, four main lists are competing: 1. The Vision of Tripoli Head of list: Abdel Hamid Karami Political support: The list is backed by an improbable coalition including Ashraf Rifi, a hawk of the anti-Hezbollah camp, and his biggest rivals: Faysal Karami, Taha Najji, and Abdel Karim Kabbara (an independent close to Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri). 2. The Tripolitan Fabric Head of list: Wael Zamarli Political support: Businessman and MP Ihab Matar, former Prime Minister Najib Mikati. 3. Lel Fayha' (Fayha' being Tripoli's nickname) Head of list: Samer Debliz Support: Actors of the Oct. 17 protest movement. 4. The Guardians of the City Support: The eponymous group composed of civil society volunteers and the Islamic Group. In Batroun: In Batroun itself, only one list is running, headed by Marcelino Hark, the outgoing president of the municipality. It is supported by a coalition of major Christian parties present: Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), Lebanese Forces (LF), and Kataeb. In other villages of the district, such as Chekka, Aabrine, or Tannourine: the competition mainly opposes the FPM to the LF-Kataeb alliance, which can also count on the support of Majd Harb, a local political figure. In Hamat: the FPM faces another improbable coalition, that of LF with the Syrian Social Nationalist Party (SSNP) and the Communist Party. In Zgharta: In Zgharta itself: The list supported by the Sleiman Frangieh clan, close to Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, faces an incomplete list from the protest movement. In other villages of the district: the Frangieh-FPM alliance faces the LF-Kataeb alliance, supported by reformist MP Michel Moawad. In Koura and Minyeh-Denniyeh: The battle is mainly familial, with notable influence from local families. Political parties have limited presence, and alliances vary by village. This region is notably marked by the decline of SSNP influence, following internal dissensions and the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. In Bsharri, the hometown of Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, the Lebanese Forces are expected to maintain high influence. In Akkar In the Akkar governorate, made up of a single district where over 130 municipal councils are to be elected, the competition is also mainly familial. In some Sunni villages, the battle will oppose the Islamic Group and local families.
Arab News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese leaders criticize Hezbollah's refusal to disarm
BEIRUT: The Lebanese army on Saturday continued to detonate munitions left over from the Israeli war in southern Lebanon, as well as confiscating ordnance in the area south of the Litani River. Explosions were heard across southern Lebanon, accompanied by reconnaissance flights from Lebanese army Cessna aircraft south of the Litani River. During the most recent cabinet session, Army Commander Gen. Rudolph Haykal confirmed that it was no longer possible to cross the Litani River from north to south without passing through Lebanese Army checkpoints. The commander also reviewed the seizure and confiscation of equipment, weapons, and ammunition, presenting statistics from more than 5,000 missions. In a statement earlier this week, President Joseph Aoun announced that weapons would be brought under state control this year. However, campaigns by Hezbollah officials threaten to disrupt the path outlined by President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to achieve this end. On Saturday, several Lebanese politicians came out against Hezbollah's attempt to retain its weapons. The Hezbollah leaders have not learned from the lessons of the catastrophe caused by their party. Ashraf Rifi, MP and former justice minister 'The remaining Hezbollah leaders have not learned from the lessons of the catastrophe caused by their party,' said MP and former Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, claiming that Hezbollah was being 'reckless' and holding on to weapons 'in support of Tehran, which is negotiating with the US at the expense of the Lebanese.' He added: 'These people appear to have lost essential wisdom and reasoning skills. Sooner or later, the weapons will be surrendered and dismantled; history does not move backward.' Rifi's comments followed a series of statements from Hezbollah in recent days, in which the group rejected the notion of surrendering its weapons to the state. They issued a threat to 'cut off the hand' of anyone who tried to disarm them. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Friday: 'Remove this issue from your vocabulary, as no one will disarm us.' He added that an Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction efforts must come before any discussions of a defense strategy. Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani endorsed Hezbollah's stance, stating on Saturday that 'the disarmament project is a clear plot against countries,' and warning against 'falling into Israel's trap.' The Iranian diplomat posted on X: 'While the US supplies the Israeli regime with the latest weapons and missiles, it simultaneously prevents other countries from strengthening and arming their militaries. Using various pretexts, it pressures them to reduce or destroy their arsenals.' He added that when countries agree to disarmament demands, they become vulnerable to attacks and occupations, citing Iraq, Libya, and Syria as examples. Amani stressed that Iran was aware of the dangers posed by 'this conspiracy and its threat to regional nations' security.' He said: 'We warn others not to fall into Israel's trap, as maintaining deterrence is the first line of defense for sovereignty and independence, and it should not be put at risk.' Hezbollah's position has drawn widespread criticism, however. MP Paula Yacoubian characterized it as a strategy to enhance Iran's negotiation position with the US, and said Lebanon was being used as a bargaining chip. 'Iran, which has poured billions into Hezbollah, now seeks greater returns,' she said. 'To preserve the regime, it is time to make concessions, and the party must stop repeating outdated rhetoric while reclaiming its Lebanese identity.' Former President Michel Suleiman said in a statement: "No to threats of cutting off hands. No to hints of civil war. No to discussions about the army's weaknesses. No to claims regarding the strength of the resistance. No to the idea of keeping weapons in the south, the mountains, the Bekaa, the north, or Beirut in the hands of anyone other than the state. "Why is this important? Because if the state does not control weapons, then the state and its institutions will not survive. "Consequently, the economy will not prosper, and we will not restore our friendship with our sister state or the international community." Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that 'resorting to threats, especially regarding severing hands, has no place in a democratic state or a country seeking civil peace.' He urged those using such rhetoric to stop, as their actions have already caused 'significant harm and damage to Lebanon and its people,' adding that they should step aside and 'allow the new leadership to guide the country out of the tragedy' they have created. Geagea also urged Hezbollah to focus on 'rebuilding an effective state capable of restoring dignity, pride, and a decent life for the Lebanese people, and take the initiative to facilitate reconstruction efforts.' A political source told Arab News that Hezbollah's rejection of disarmament, most recently expressed by Naim Qassem, aimed to preserve internal balance and boost morale within the party. 'Meanwhile, the Iranian position indicates that Iran is trying to control Hezbollah. There may also be another explanation: they may be seeking to gain time,' said the source.
MTV Lebanon
31-01-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Watch: Rifi Advises Hezbollah to 'Reevaluate Their Calculations'
MP Ashraf Rifi addressed Hezbollah through MTV during Sar el Wa2et saying: "Reevaluate your calculations, you are an Iranian agent and you can't control me," adding, "We are only partners with you in the country as part of the Shiite team." The details are in this video.
