Christmas Tree Lit in Tripoli, Rifi Says Plot to 'Distort City Image' Defeated
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A ceremony was held Sunday to light a huge Christmas tree in the northern city of Tripoli, in the presence of several religious, political and social figures.
“This city will preserve its name, image and history, despite all problems,” said Tripoli's Maronite Archbishop Georges Abu Jaoude.
For his part, March 14 General Secretariat Coordinator Fares Soaid said “no matter how much they try and no matter what they say about Tripoli, this tree is the best proof that the city is the city of coexistence.”
“Tripoli is the city of diversity and life and it is stronger than conspiracies. We say no to anyone who wants to turn it into a militarized city,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, who hails from Tripoli, said “we are partners in this society.”
“I'm pleased to confirm that the scheme trying to distort Tripoli's image by depicting it as a city for extremists has been defeated,” said Rifi.
“We are part of this dear country and we join our Christian brothers in their religious feasts to say that we are the sons of one country,” he added.
On Wednesday night, a Christmas tree went up in flames in the city. The municipality said an electric failure triggered the fire after several media outlets said the blaze was “deliberate.”
15 December 2013, 19:39
46
the plot is not just to Distort City Image, rather the whole country.
the extremist Iranian terrorist militia is trying to take over our country at any cost.
they will not succeed and they will pay a dear price, as have all invaders before them.
16 December 2013, 10:56
00
Did they lit up a Christmas tree in Beirut downtown??? Or is the downtown a Hariri private turf?
17 December 2013, 13:03
00
Metaxa, please do not play smart, you know exactly what I meant: not the "multiple trees & decorations", but THE tree that used to stand up in downtown Beirut, Martyrs Square...unfortunately gone...gone with the wave of intolerance, led by Bilal Hamad
15 December 2013, 21:29
34
Funny, today I set up my Xmas tree as well. Never cut real trees and contribute to deforestation even if they are labelled as sustainable.
15 December 2013, 22:54
13
southern, have u never been told that M14 takfiris, christians or muslims, set christmas trees ?
15 December 2013, 23:07
15
cedre: you forgot to add that M14 cannibals decorate trees with eye globes whether they are blue, green, or hazel.
Southern with a dot: it's bed time for you! yalla yalla, awem! boukra madrasseh.
15 December 2013, 23:09
13
no way, just read the army in involved on 3 fronts, at the Saida entrance checkpoint, Salhiyeh Barracks (above Abra) and Naqoura......
Someone wants to create troubles.... Bachar, Hezbollah or their ally Benyamin Netanyahou?
15 December 2013, 23:15
11
apparently false alert, nobody killed at the border, only gunshots from lebanon, too early too know, let's wait LAF report...
15 December 2013, 23:17
12
IDF just contacted UNIFIL about 6-7 shots at an israeli civilian from a LAF member... Planes already over the border...
15 December 2013, 23:25
12
It may have been criminally motivated. Their air force is searching the area for infiltrators. It may be drug smugglers or a HA terrorist infiltration.
15 December 2013, 23:36
10
https://twitter.com/ced_lab/status/412334459803820033/photo/1
16 December 2013, 06:49
21
Unfortunately, it takes more than a Christmas tree to prove tolerance and non-extremism. If they want to demonstrate "tolerance", how about not picking on the Alawites for a change?
