Rifi Says Initiative in Tripoli's Elections was Ignored

Resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stated on Friday, that he made an initiative that guarantees the representation of the Christians and Alawites in the municipal elections in Tripoli but the other party did not respond to it.

“I explained to Patriarch Bshara al-Rahi the initiative that I made to represent the Christians and Alawites in the municipal elections in Tripoli, but the other party did not reply,” said Rifi from Bkirki after a meeting with Rahi.

He pointed out to the people's needs which shaped the outcome of the elections, he said: “The people have needs and demands. They are saying that the decision is theirs.”

Rifi backed a municipal list in the northern city of Tripoli which scored a landslide victory on Sunday in the face of other lists mainly one backed by a major alliance between al-Mustaqbal Movement, ex-PM Najib Miqati, and the major local powers in the city.

Rifi's list clinched 18 seats on the municipal council as the broad coalition's list won only six.

Christian and Alawite candidates representing the city's two minorities failed to win any seats, which is a first in the history of Tripoli's municipal elections.