Ashraf Rifi
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Al-Mustaqbal Accuses Syria of Being Behind Rejection of al-Hassan’s Promotion

The rejection of Hizbullah and the Free Patriotic Movement to promote head of the Internal Security Forces Information Branch Col. Wissam al-Hassan came upon pressure from Syria, al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc sources said.

The sources told al-Liwaa daily published Monday that Syria was frustrated at ISF chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi’s attempt to link the disappearance of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon to the Syrian embassy.

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Heated Debate at Human Rights Committee over Syrian Opposition Members Abduction

The Parliamentary human rights committee session on Monday witnessed a heated debate over the discussion of a report written by Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi about the alleged involvement of the Syrian embassy in the disappearance of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon.

Voice of Lebanon radio reported that the voices were heard at the press room in the parliament.

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March 14: We Will Consider Govt. as ‘Collapsed’ Should it Reject Funding STL

The March 14 General Secretariat slammed on Wednesday Hizbullah’s recent positions, accusing it of acting as the sole authority on state decisions and the constitution due to its positions on the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon.

It said in a statement after its weekly meeting: “We will consider the government as collapsed should it reject the funding of the tribunal.”

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Ali: Lebanese Officials Must Reconsider Accusations against us by Resorting to Constitution

Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali questioned on Tuesday criticism by some Lebanese officials that have accused his embassy of being behind the disappearance of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon.

He said after holding talks with former Prime Minister Salim Hoss: “I don’t want to dwell on the details of this dispute, but I will renew my call for some sides to reconsider their positions based on the Lebanese constitution and cooperation agreements between Lebanon and Syria.”

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Al-Aysami’s Daughter Pleads with Syria’s Allies to Unveil her Father’s Fate

The daughter of a Syrian opposition member who was allegedly kidnapped in the eastern Lebanese region of Aley pleaded with Syria’s allies in Lebanon to mediate for the release of her father.

Shebli al-Aysami, 86, a co-founder of Syria's ruling Baath party, who fled his native country in 1966 over political differences, was last seen in May in Aley.

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Rifi’s Report Offers Insight into Kidnapping of Jassem Brothers by Salah Hajj

Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi’s investigation report on the kidnapping of Syrian opposition members reveals that the head of the Syrian embassy guard unit, First Lt. Salah Hajj, was the ringleader of the group that abducted the Jassem brothers.

An Nahar daily published on Tuesday the full report, which is based on witness testimony and telecommunications data.

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Kurd Activist Accuses Syrian Embassy Guards of Assaulting him

A Syrian Kurd opposition member was injured in a clash between protestors and the Syrian embassy’s security guards in the Beirut district of Hamra on Sunday, An Nahar daily reported.

Kurd activist Kadar Saleh Beeri told the newspaper that he was beaten by members of the embassy guards after he was returning from a demonstration held by around 50 Kurds outside the premises of the mission.

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Geagea Warns of Manipulation in STL Funding

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea warned on Monday of any manipulation concerning the funding of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon probing the assassination of ex-Premier Rafik Hariri.

All the successive cabinets “insured the funding of the STL since 2008 with the participation of Hizbullah ministers,” Geagea told An Nahar newspapers.

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Source: Rifi’s Accusations against Syrian Embassy are Accurate

A Lebanese security source revealed that Syrian Ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali’s statements on the abduction of Syrian opposition members in Lebanon does not mean that he and his embassy may not be directly responsible for the kidnapping of the Jassem brothers and Shebli al-Aisamy.

The source told the Kuwaiti al-Anbaa newspaper in remarks published on Sunday that Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi’s statements on the matter “are accurate and they are based on damning facts and evidence.”

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Syrian Ambassador Denies Rifi’s Accusations

Syrian ambassador to Lebanon Ali Abdul Karim Ali on Friday denied reports that his embassy was behind the disappearance of Syrian opposition members who have gone missing in Lebanon, calling such accusations "unfounded."

"I am puzzled by these unfounded claims that have been attributed to the police chief," Ali told reporters after meeting Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour.

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