Tripoli MP and Renewal bloc member Ashraf Rifi warned that “the regional situation is becoming increasingly tense and explosive,” and that “Hezbollah cannot continue to set the southern front ablaze given the very high human, economic and demographic costs involved.”
During Wednesday’s visit to Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Meerab, Rifi reiterated, “The opposition forces are convinced that only the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701 can save Lebanon.”
He also debunked Hezbollah’s “claim to be supporting Gaza” with the opening of the southern front while stressing the priority that Lebanon should be for everyone.
“As Muslims and Christians, we support the Palestinian cause, but we must save Lebanon first,” he insisted.
Rifi reaffirmed that “Hezbollah is taking Lebanon hostage,” accusing the pro-Iranian formation of “not respecting the national partnership” and “not valuing the rights of the country’s other communities.” According to him, Hezbollah “is trying to drag us into the Iranian project.”
In this context, Rifi recalled that it was only when Iran’s influence in Lebanon strengthened that the country began its descent into hell. “Constitutional deadlines are no longer respected. A president is no longer being elected within the constitutional deadlines,” he elaborated, convinced that “this is all in Iran’s interest.”
