Rifaat Eid to NOW Lebanon: We are only defending ourselves

Arab Democratic Party Political Relations Officer Rifaat Eid told NOW Lebanon that his supporters have abided by the ceasefire on Friday an hour early as a goodwill gesture following Mufti of Tripoli and North Lebanon Sheikh Malek Shaar’s call for a 1 p.m. ceasefire. “Violations of the ceasefire are still occurring from the side of Bab al-Tabbaneh, where gunmen are still firing machine guns and RPG rockets,â€_ Eid told NOW Lebanon. He also called on the Lebanese army to arrest people violating the ceasefire, “even if they belong to the Arab Democratic Party.â€_ “We are retaliating to the source of fire in self-defense, and I am being forced to do it. How can anyone be happy while shooting at his neighbors and relatives with whom he has longstanding relations?â€_ Eid said. “Gunmen in the two neighborhoods are not a... [read full story]