Rifi Visits Mar Elias Church: We Will Thwart Attempts to Destabilizing Coexistence in Tripoli

Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi stressed on Sunday that the country is passing through a critical stage, however, he pointed out that it will not have an impact on the solidarity between Christians and Muslims.

“I denounce the writings on the churches in (the northern city of) Tripoli,” Rifi said during a visit to Mar Elias Church that was vandalized by unknown assailants recently.

He pointed out that Tripoli is a city of coexistence, which is the corner stone of the country's unity.

Rifi justified his decision to investigate the Ashrafiyeh incident and the burning of crosses in Tripoli, saying: “We have taken the right choice... We will pursue any mischievous person trying to harm our coexistence or unity.”

In Lebanon, the disrespect of religious symbols is punishable by law.

“We are completely aware of the delicate stage we are passing through... We are keen to safeguard this country,” the minister said.

He said that “the decision was against who are inciting sedition and destabilizing the civil peace.”

Rifi had asked General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud to investigate burning of the Islamic State group's flag in Beirut over the pretense that the flag includes the Islamic shahada, “There is no god but Allah, Mohammed is the messenger of Allah.”

A video showing several men burning the IS flag in Ashrafiyeh's Sassine square was circulated on social media last week.

MP Ibrahim Kanaan, who is a member of the Change and Reform bloc and a lawyer, immediately rushed to their defense.

However, media reports had said that Rifi, Hammoud and Kanaan agreed to freeze the summons.

There are fears that burning of the flag would up sectarian tension.

Assailants have been spray-painting the walls of several churches in the northern city of Tripoli and reports said that angry men have burned crosses.

Rifi has also ordered an investigation into the alleged cross-burning.