Rifi slams 'defamation campaign', says it resembles ones 'that precede assassinations'

Former Internal Security Forces chief Ashraf Rifi dismissed news report accusing him of forming a militia to operate in Tripoli in defense of the Sunnis, labeling such news as "lies and fabrications."

In a statement issued on Tuesday, said such "defamation campaign" "resembles the ones that usually precede assassinations," as was the case of former Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and other March 14 figures who were also killed.

Rifi addressed those standing behind such reports, telling them that they won't succeed in dragging "the sons of the state and its institutions" into wearing their 'black militia suits'.

"The free do not accept to set up a brigade such as the one you have established to attack people's security and dignity," he added.

The former ISF chief accused Hezbollah of "sowing chaos and armed groups in Tripoli in order to terrorize it.