Lebanese Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi resigned from the cabinet yesterday over what he said was political rival Hezbollah’s domination of the state and government.
“Lebanon is going through one of its most difficult stages in modern history as a result of a national crisis caused by the de facto forces which dominate the state and its institutions,” Rifi said in a statement, referring to Hezbollah.
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Rifi said Hezbollah has put Lebanon into a state of disintegration and distorted its national identity and endangered its sovereignty as well as the economy and future of international and Arab relations.
Hezbollah and its allies inside and outside government are attempting to tighten control over the judiciary and destroy Lebanon’s relations with Saudi Arabia, he warned.
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“The practices of Hezbollah’s mini-state and its allies are not acceptable and staying in the government means approving them,” Rifi said. “I will not be a false witness and will not be a cover for those who are trying to dominate the state and its institutions.”
“Continuing to be part of this government has become an agreement to this deviation, or at least is a failure to confront it. So I present to you and to Prime Minister Tammam Salam my resignation,” he added.
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