Rifi Denies Arresting Politicians and Media Personnel for Espionage
Internal Security Forces Director General, Gen. Ashraf Rifi denied reports that some political figures have been arrested in relation to the recent uncovered Israeli spy cells in Lebanon.
Rifi affirmed to the daily As-Safir on Saturday that a national cause in hunting Israeli spies should not be mixed up with personal issues. Adding that any hearsay regarding preparations to arrest or made arrests against any political or media figures are not true.
"Rumors of this kind cause a lot of damage in the country. The investigation is ongoing. No one is allowed to place doubts. The Lebanese are good people and so is our society," Rifi said.
In statements to the daily An-Nahar on Saturday, Rifi said that Lebanon is witnessing an unprecedented development in the Arab-Israeli conflict." Lebanon has given Israel a good punch in uncovering its cells, that is why it is in Israel”s interest to show that our society is dysfunctional, while in reality our society is steadfast."
Rifi added that security forces have arrested "between 30 to 35 spies in the country so far working for Israel."