MP Ashraf Rifi issued a statement on the platform X on 15 October criticizing the stance taken by MP Hassan Fadlallah regarding state sovereignty and the national decision of war and peace. Addressing the authority of the Lebanese state, Ashraf Rifi stated: "سيادة لبنان واستقلال قراره الوطني ليسا موضع مساومة أو تفاوض" (Lebanon's sovereignty and the independence of its national decision are not subject to compromise or negotiation). He further rejected external influence within the country by adding: "لبنان ليس ولاية إيرانية، واللبنانيون ليسوا رعايا عند أحد" (Lebanon is not an Iranian province, and the Lebanese people are not subjects to anyone). These remarks reflect ongoing internal disagreements over the governance of Lebanon and the formal control of security decisions.
MP Ashraf Rifi issued a statement on the platform X criticizing MP Hassan Fadlallah's stance on state sovereignty and the decision of war and peace. This public criticism notes the deep-seated political divisions currently influencing the discourse surrounding national security and the role of non-state actors within the country. By utilizing the platform X to communicate his position, Ashraf Rifi sought to emphasize the necessity of upholding the constitutional authority of the Lebanese state, particularly concerning issues that directly impact the country’s stability and its independent decision-making processes.
The Dahr al-Baidar Incident
Hassan Fadlallah stated that the vehicle and materials seized at Dahr al-Baidar belong to the Resistance. Following the seizure, Hassan Fadlallah warned against taking measures against these materials and demanded their immediate return to his organization. The incident, which occurred at the Dahr al-Baidar checkpoint, has become a focal point for the broader debate regarding the authority of the Lebanese state versus the operational autonomy of the Resistance. MP Hassan Fadlallah claimed that the vehicle and materials seized at Dahr al-Baidar belong to the Resistance. MP Hassan Fadlallah warned against taking measures against the seized materials and demanded their return.
Ashraf Rifi contested the nature of the materials found at the site. He linked the explosives seized in the Dahr al-Baidar case to explosives used in previous assassinations. By connecting these specific materials to past security incidents, Ashraf Rifi has elevated the discussion beyond a mere administrative or logistical dispute. His assertion that the explosives seized in the Dahr al-Baidar case are linked to explosives used in previous assassinations serves to intensify the scrutiny placed on the Resistance and the materials it moves through state-controlled checkpoints. This development shows the complexity of the security environment, where the movement of materials by the Resistance is consistently challenged by political figures who advocate for the exclusive authority of the Lebanese state over all security and military matters within its borders. The standoff continues to draw attention to the governance of Lebanon and the formal control of security decisions.
