Resigned Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stressed Saturday the importance of including the Christians and Alawites in Tripoli’s municipal works.
Following his meeting with Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East John X Yazigi at the Patriarchal headquarters in Balamand, Rifi responded to the accusations concerning him stealing the Future Movement’s supporters, saying that “the supporters cannot be stolen, and the Lebanese people in general and the residents of Tripoli in particular have full awareness and enough conviction to freely choose their leaders.”
“They cannot be subject to intimidation and bribery,” he added.
On his relation with former PM Saad Hariri, Rifi noted that “there has not been any direct contact with Hariri,” pointing out that they reached differences over several political issues, which are considered important principles.