Lebanese Forces bloc MPs Strida Geagea and Elie Keyrouz criticized during a statement on Saturday the “suspicious campaign” against the Internal Security Forces and its Director General, Achraf Rifi.

Several March 8 coalition figures, including Head of the Media and Telecommunications Commission Hassan Fadlallah and Speaker Nabih Berri, criticized former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora’s cabinet for reportedly signing an agreement with Washington to supply long-term training and equipment to the army and ISF from December 2006 to May 2008, during which the parliament was shut down.

In an interview with Al-Mustaqbal newspaper published on Saturday, Rifi said the terms of the agreement were established in 2007, however circumstances in the country had then prevented the cabinet from signing the agreement. As such, “the government asked me to sign it, and it was approved by the cabinet four days later,” said Rifi.

The campaign [against Rifi] is unnerving and surprising, especially in light of the ISF’s achievements, said the statement.

Geagea and Keyrouz voiced full support to Rifi and the ISF, warning against prolonging the campaign and describing the accusations as “invalid and purely politically motivated.”

Attempts to target Siniora and his cabinet aim to instigate further tension rather than enhance national unity, added the statement.

-NOW Lebanon

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