“Our Hope is to Get Rid of Hezbollah” – MP Ashraf Rifi, Member of Parliament, Lebanon
In the past 79 years, Lebanon has not witnessed a smooth transition of power from one president to another. Two years and three months of political vacuum resulted in another vacuum, causing the paralysis of economic, financial and political institutions, due to a war dictated by Hezbollah’s decision in Lebanon. However, the election of General Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic ended the presidential void during the 13th session of the Lebanese Parliament. Does the white smoke signal the start of a new phase of institutional stability in Lebanon?
The News Analytics Journal(TNJ), Arab correspondent Ms. Nadia Hallak in an exclusive interview with Mr. Ashraf Rifi (AR), honourable Member of Parliament, Lebanon spoke on the crises Lebanon has endured over the years, the future of Lebanon, and it’s international relations with other major powers, including India. He was General Director of the Lebanese Internal Security Forces (Lebanese Police Chief) and later served as Minister of Justice —excerpts from the interview.
TNJ: After two years. Lebanon ends the presidential vacancy crisis. How will things proceed after President Joseph Aoun takes office and will he face any challenges in performing his duties?
AR: All Lebanese are betting on this term with the presence of President General Joseph Aoun. There is a very large bet on significant changes because the country cannot afford half-solutions or grey-area solutions. His inaugural speech was a great source of hope for the Lebanese. His behavior, character and performance have given the Lebanese people hope and I hope he can pull the country out of its crisis. We do not know if he will face challenges, but our hope in him is great, as he is viewed as a president who can save Lebanon.
TNJ: According to his inaugural speech, President Joseph Aoun promised to revive Lebanon and restore its international and regional standing. Do you think he will succeed in this?
AR: We hope he will succeed. His speech was clear and he has the will to work. I believe that regional, internal and international developments might indeed help Lebanon regain its international and regional status.
TNJ: Do you think President Joseph Aoun will be able to pressure Hezbollah to implement Resolution 1701 and hand over its weapons?
AR: The international resolution was approved by Hezbollah and signed by its government. It stipulates that only the Lebanese state has the right to hold weapons. The Lebanese Army, Internal Security Forces, General Security, State Security, Customs and municipalities are the only bodies allowed to possess weapons. Anyone else carrying weapons in Lebanon outside these entities will be legally questioned and held accountable.
TNJ: Will we see Hezbollah transform into a purely political party in Lebanon in the near future?
AR: In my opinion, Hezbollah cannot remain a military party, i.e., a faction that holds weapons and makes decisions about peace and war. Hezbollah has destroyed the country with its choices and decisions. It must retreat and become an ordinary citizen or move toward politics. However, I am not sure how far its Shiite base will accept that it only plays a political role.
TNJ: How do you comment on naming Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister? What does this mean for Lebanon, which has suffered under a corrupt system of successive governments?
AR: Prime Minister Salam has played an important role and has a good reputation. We are hopeful with his appointment as Prime Minister. I believe the Lebanese are putting their hopes in him, as he represents a government that is not based on political quotas, unlike the mafia-like governments of the past. Those who have ruled the country in the past have stolen from and destroyed Lebanon. It is time for honest, patriotic, and reformist figures who can save the country from its crises, so I believe there is a great deal of hope placed in him.
TNJ: Why did the opposition not nominate you as the Prime Minister?
AR: This is not a personal matter, but rather a matter of national salvation. Any person we believe can save the country, we will support him and stand by him in his reform project. We have played our role as the opposition and contributed to reaching this advanced stage.
TNJ: Regarding the Syrian file, with the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Lebanon finds itself facing a new phase that presents political and security challenges. How do you view these developments?
AR: We certainly congratulate the Syrian people and the Syrian revolution for defeating the ‘tyrant Bashar al-Assad’. I said to the Syrians in my letter of congratulations, “You have overthrown your tyrant and now we must overthrow our tyrant in Lebanon, which is Hezbollah,” this Iranian project does not represent us. We reject it and will not allow our children to grow under its shadow. We resisted it before and we will resist it today with bare chests.
In the past, Hezbollah had some military power, but today it has lost part of its military capabilities. Through our political resistance, we will rid ourselves of it and lift Lebanon from the abyss, returning it to a normal country free from any abnormalities.
TNJ: How do you view future relations between Beirut and Damascus?
AR: They should be healthy, state-to-state relations, relations between two sovereign states. We are optimistic about the future, especially after we have rid ourselves of a tyrant who does not respect humanity or even the sovereignty of Lebanon. Bashar al-Assad considered Lebanon a part of Syria, cutting it off and annexing it. Today, we see the new leadership, which we bless, saying that it respects Lebanon’s sovereignty and that its borders are the official geographic boundaries between Lebanon and Syria.
TNJ: Are there any security precautions being taken in Tripoli after the new Syrian administration has taken power in Syria? Especially some parties try to tarnish the city’s image, claiming it is a capital for Islamists and extremist groups?
AR: Of course, we have a political position in Tripoli and I am proud to be from Tripoli. Tripoli is a city of coexistence and a truly Lebanese city, so all the slander that came from the Syrian regime in the past when it was in Lebanon is rejected by the city. Tripoli was against the Syrian regime and unfortunately, today, after Hezbollah, as an Iranian agent, took over, the city is again accused of being a hotbed for Islamists and extremists, even though the people of Tripoli embraced the Shiites of Lebanon and Hezbollah’s supporters during the war.
Hezbollah has always described its opponents, particularly Sunnis, as “Takfiris” and Extremists, while labeling Christians as Israeli agents and independent Shiites as “Shiites of the embassies.” Today, all these accusations have fallen and it is Hezbollah that is the Iranian agent. Tripoli is open to all sects and religions and we have no discrimination. It is a national, Lebanese, moderate city, contrary to all accusations from Hezbollah and the former Syrian regime, which killed, tortured, and looted Lebanon for years.
TNJ: Our region has gone through tough times. Do you think India could play a role in contributing to the stability and development of the region? If so can you elaborate on it?
AR: There is no doubt that India has the human, material and technological capabilities to play a positive role. The Lebanese are certain that India has the necessary capabilities and there is continuous communication between Lebanon and India for investment and to benefit from India’s potential.
Forms of cooperation between the two countries in the future will either be through official persons or the private sector. The Lebanese have a wide diaspora in countries around the world, including India and they are well aware of the technological advancements in India and their significance. The private sector will surely be able to benefit from their technology. On the official level, while India is geographically distant from Lebanon, we encourage the Lebanese state to take advantage of the capabilities of friendly countries, including India.
TNJ: The Indian peacekeeping force in southern Lebanon, as part of UNIFIL, has been working very professionally for the last 25 years in collaboration with local communities in ongoing sustainable development efforts. How would you describe the relationship between the two countries?
AR: The Lebanese people thank India for its involvement with Lebanon and its support of the Lebanese people. India sent a battalion of armed forces to maintain the security of the Lebanese people in the south and this is greatly appreciated by the Lebanese people toward India and its armed forces.
(Disclaimer: All responses by MP Ashraf Rifi are his personal opinion on the specific issue as communicated to Ms. Nadia Hallak during the interview)
