Rifi: Suleiman Was Not Fully Informed of What Happened at Telecom Ministry Building
Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Rifi stated that he has not yet looked into the President Michel Suleiman’s demand for legal action to be taken against him following his refusal to abide by caretaker Interior Minister Ziad Baroud’s order to evacuate a Telecom Ministry building last week.
He told the daily An Nahar in remarks published on Tuesday: “I have not examined his demand and I don’t know what it’s based upon.”
“I believe that the president was not fully informed of the details of what happened that day and I therefore I don’t think that what I did could be considered a refusal to obey orders,” he explained.
“I received Baroud’s orders at 2:00 pm on Thursday and I sent a response clarifying my position on the matter three hours later, but he held his press conference before he had a chance to look into it,” Rifi continued.
An Nahar revealed that businessmen and economic bodies are expected to hold a meeting on Wednesday in order to discuss the repercussions the current crisis is having on the economic sector.
Rifi has stressed that he was performing his “national duty” when he dispatched an Intelligence Bureau unit on Thursday to protect the second floor of a building affiliated with the Telecom Ministry in al-Adliyeh district, Future News television quoted him as saying on Monday.
He described his step as “legal,” saying that it falls within his jurisdiction.
The ISF chief said the issue was blown out of proportion, adding that “what’s happening today resembles what happened concerning the security agreement with the United States and the issue of ‘false witnesses’. It turned out that we were right.”
Suleiman has requested that the justice ministry take legal action against Rifi over his refusal to obey the orders of Baroud, who has absolved himself of his duties as a caretaker minister in wake of the incident.
On Thursday, Baroud had ordered Rifi to pull out Intelligence Bureau personnel from the second floor of the al-Adliyeh building, where OGERO Telecom is in charge of the installations of a third mobile network donated by China to Lebanon according to a cabinet resolution.
almost 13 years
THE POINT REMAINS THIS:
Rifi disobeyed bis superior, Baroud, and above him, the president of the republic. PERIOD. For this he must be punished, BY LAW, and even denoted if not fired. PERIOD.
almost 13 years
Why doesn't anybody just HANG this sob on the first lamppost? He ignored orders from the minister, AND the president and he is still in office?
Send the army to get him NOW! HANG him upside down, him and his militia intelligence bureau jerks!
This is why most Lebanese hate their politicians. Because of total impunity, and lawlessness... People like him should be shot!!
almost 13 years
FSI UNDER RIFI IS THE LAST LEBANESE SECURITY BATION FREE OF THE HEGEMONY OF HIZBALLAH AND SYRIA,RIFI IS HERE TO STAY ,THAT WHAT CAPTAIN SAMER HANNA CONFIRMED .
THERE IS 10.000 PROBLEM RELATED TO THE FORMER OCCUPATION B4 DICUSSING THE MOST BRAVE AND STRONG OFFICER: AHRAF RIFI.
almost 13 years
When an interior minister gives an order and rifi know fully well that it is within his power to do so, he should just do it. Rifi should be fired do you see this happening in any democratic country in the workd no only in Lebanon. Another reason why I think he should be fired is because he has allowed people to wonder why christans voice in the country continues to be undermined.
almost 13 years
Baroud did not hire Rifi and Rifi does not work for Baroud. Rifi can go over the minister head anytime a national secuirty is invloved. Rifi or whomever in that position report directly to the president in national matter issue.
Here's the real issue. Baroud wants to be president and Aoun want to burn him as we all know that's why he is reacting in that matter. Rifi on the other hand can quit today and he will be elected to the Parliament in a landslide.
I don't understand why Rifi is not sacked! Who can fire him and why haven't they? What's with Sulieman? Why not just ask for his resignation? Every time this guy speaks he damages the reputation of the isf.