The religious, political, economic, and cultural figures of Tripoli, along with various professional unions, held an urgent meeting at the Dar al-Fatwa in Tripoli.
The National Media Agency reported that these figures discussed the attacks that Tripoli has faced, including the burning of its municipal building and Sharia court, and issued a statement in this regard. Sheikh Muhammad Imam, the acting Mufti of Tripoli and the North, read the statement, emphasizing that the neglect of Tripoli's conditions over the years—be it in development, health, social services, or economy—has resulted in poverty, misery, unemployment, migration, and school dropouts. He noted that this dire situation has made the city vulnerable to exploitation by malicious hands, not belonging to the people of Tripoli, seeking to disrupt the city and undermine its present and future, as well as erase its history and authenticity.
Imam added that the original and rightful inhabitants of Tripoli do not burn their own city or destroy their public and private institutions, pointing out that they are victims at every turn in the country. He indicated that the role of political and security authorities should not be merely condemnation and denunciation, but rather to preserve the city, develop it, and uplift its people. He stressed that citizen rights, dignity, and loyalty to the country must be reinforced.
The Mufti of Tripoli and the North asserted that the tampering by infiltrating hands involved in the city and its official institutions, as well as in public and private properties, is merely a conspiracy against the city and is not related to legitimate demands in any way. Imam pointed out that what has happened to the city requires the authorities to fulfill their role towards Tripoli. He strongly called for the arrest of those involved, exposing and prosecuting them under the law, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for such practices to go unnoticed and for the perpetrators to evade justice regarding their crimes against Tripoli.
In the statement, he demanded a transparent and comprehensive investigation to determine responsibilities and uncover the reasons and objectives behind the incidents, stating: "The people of Tripoli will not remain silent in the face of the injustice and chaos that affects their city, streets, interests, and institutions." He continued by placing the administrations and institutions under the protection of the Lebanese Army and security forces, and called for an investigation to determine the negligent responsibilities of the officials and security personnel, highlighting that the people of Tripoli will not settle for anything less to ensure their future and security.
For his part, the Mayor of Tripoli, Dr. Riyad Yamak, confirmed that what happened at the municipality will be investigated, noting that if there had been elements from the municipal police, they would have been able to prevent the incident. He stated, "If there is no solution for the security of the city, we will take responsibility ourselves. We are with the revolution, but we are not with thugs and troublemakers." Yamak added that the state is lacking, and the city’s poor are not the ones who burned the municipality, and he stated that they have never lapsed regarding assistance to the city.
Meanwhile, the head of the Lawyers' Syndicate in the North, Muhammad Murad, considered the statement issued today to be a message to all officials that these are the demands of the people of Tripoli, and this meeting sets the rules for the state's dealings with Tripoli and its protocol.
The representative of President Najib Mikati, Dr. Abdul-Razzaq Qarhani, also spoke, emphasizing that silence before this crime committed against Tripoli last night is unacceptable, and that the responsibility for it lies with a power fighting over the remnants of the dignity of all its constitutional, judicial, security, and civil institutions, considering that there is collusion to undermine a city that has never felt it was on the agenda of a failed state. Qarhani also called for an investigation into what transpired before everyone's eyes and a live broadcast through media outlets, holding full responsibility for this authority from the highest level down to all those who funded, incited, supported, overlooked, or contributed to burning Tripoli.
He concluded by stating that the response to what happened yesterday should be to revive and restore life to these institutions starting tomorrow, noting that the Al-Azm and Sa'ad Association, following the directives of President Najib Mikati, will mobilize all its material, moral, and human resources to restore the Sharia court and the municipality of Tripoli.
The figures present at the meeting included Dr. Abdul-Razzaq Qarhani representing President Najib Mikati, MP Ali Darwish representing the "Independent Center" bloc, MP Samir Al-Jisr represented by the coordinator of the "Future Movement" in Tripoli, Bassam Ziyada, former Minister Muhammad Safadi represented by Ahmad Safadi, former MP Misbah Ahdab, Lawyers' Syndicate head Muhammad Murad, head of the Tripoli Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture Tofik Debussy, Bishop of the Maronite Archdiocese of Tripoli, Bishop Youssef Sayegh, Acting Bishop for the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishopric of Tripoli, Archimandrite Elias Bustani, Secretary-General of the Supreme Relief Commission, Major General Muhammad Khair, Director of Tripoli Port Dr. Ahmad Tamer, President of the Sunni Sharia Court Judge Dr. Wisam Al-Samroot, Mayor of Tripoli Dr. Riyad Yamak, and various commercial and social figures and scholars.
