Karami extends hands 'to all except LF' as Rifi slams constitutional council ruling
Former minister and Tripoli MP Faisal Karami has said that his hand is extended to all parties, except for the Lebanese Forces.
A close ally of Hezbollah and Syrian President Bashar Assad, Karami had regained on Thursday his seat in parliament from dentist and pro-democracy activist Rami Fanj, following an appeal claiming the initial vote count in Fanj's favor was inaccurate.
"In these difficult circumstances, my hand is extended to everyone, except to the Lebanese forces," Karami said, as he voiced his support to the people of his "oppressed city", Tripoli.
Faisal Karami is the nephew of former Prime Minister Rashid Karami, who was assassinated in 1987. In 1999, LF chief Samir Geagea and ten other members of the party were found guilty of the assassination.
A long-time critic of Hezbollah, Tripoli MP and former Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi slammed Friday the constitutional council's decision.
"There is an attempt to change the balance in parliament and to limit the representation of the opposition and change forces," Rifi said, urging these forces to unite against what he called "a targeted attack on every free voice."
Source: Naharnet
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