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Rifi: Only the Lebanese army can enter border town of Arsal

30-05-2015 | 09:15

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Rifi: Only the Lebanese army can enter border town of Arsal

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The Lebanese Army solely can enter the border town of Arsal, Minister of Justice Achraf Rifi said on Saturday, following comments made by a Hezbollah official stating that the party was ready to liberate the town.

“Arsal is a precious part of this country and not an isolated island as some have attempted to show it,” Rifi, said in allusion to Hezbollah during a press conference in the northern town of Tripoli. “It is delusional to think we will accept any attack on the town ... Arsal is a red line.”

The justice minister added that his bet is on the Lebanese Army, noting that “only legitimacy” can enter Arsal.

Rifi’s comments come following the growing tensions between Hezbollah and the Future Movement over Hezbollah's warning that it would enter the outskirts of the border town of Arsal to repel jihadis out of Lebanon if the army doesn't take the necessary actions.

Jihadis have been entrenched on the mountains surrounding Arsal since spring 2014, when they were driven out by Hezbollah and the Syrian army from Suria’s Qalamoun.

Earlier on Saturday, Sheikh Nabil Qaouk, the deputy head of Hezbollah's executive council, said that the armed party is ready to liberate the outskirts of Arsal and accused the March 14 camp of backing terrorism and inciting sectarian strife.

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