The north and Lebanon have narrowly avoided a strife that could have occurred were it not for the efforts and professionalism of the Information Branch of the Internal Security Forces, which succeeded in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping and murder of the late Sheikh Ahmed Shuaib al-Rifai, identifying the perpetrators who confessed to committing this heinous crime after their arrest.
Walid Jumblatt, the head of the Progressive Socialist Party, emphasized the importance of handling this crime "with wisdom and awareness," pointing out the "direct impact" of the Internal Security Forces’ efforts "in revealing what happened and preventing malicious individuals from pursuing their agendas."
In his statements, National Moderation Bloc MP Walid Ba’arin thanked the Lebanese Army, security forces, and the Information Branch for their ability to uncover the details of the crime and for arresting and handing over the culprits to the judiciary. He described the situation in the town of Qarqaf as "embers under the ashes" and spoke of the intention of the National Moderation Bloc to propose an expedited law to reinstate the death penalty, stating that it is unacceptable for criminals to be free from the punishment they deserve. He remarked, "Despite the enormity of the tragedy that cost Sheikh al-Rifai his life, we thank God who relieved us from a sectarian strife that some attempted to promote from the moment Sheikh al-Rifai disappeared." He called on those who were stirring the pot before the crime was revealed to "apologize to the Lebanese public and to the people of Akkar and the north in particular, because the rumors they spread were not based on credible tangible evidence."
Former MP Wahbi Qatisha condemned the assassination of Sheikh al-Rifai, known for his integrity and sound judgment, stating that "security must be proactive and cannot turn into a police state." He also pointed out incidents in Huartaala that resulted in the deaths of three soldiers, in Karantina that led to the death of Sergeant First Class Samah Hassam al-Din, and the killing of Sheikh al-Rifai, along with a traffic incident that took the lives of three students in the dark Shka tunnel, as evidence of the absence of a state willing to protect its citizens.
Amid this security caution, financial deterioration continues. Although banks have suspended their strike and reopened to customers as of today, it is not confirmed to be a permanent return. In this context, financial and economic expert Dr. Louis Hbeika hoped that "the suspension of the bank strike would be permanent and not just for a week as stated in the strike return decision, because the problems will persist and will not end."
Hbeika noted in an interview with the Electronic Annabaa newspaper that "it is unacceptable to hold people hostage," adding, "What wrongdoing is it of the citizen to be punished for a reason that has nothing to do with him? Whatever the reasons, it is inappropriate to return to the strike." He considered that "the problem of banks with the judiciary should be solved through dialogue with the Prime Minister and relevant ministers, the banks association, and the Governor of the Central Bank, as the solution cannot be closure, because repeated closures will lead to the complete collapse of the banking sector. What is needed first and foremost is to restore trust in banks, so how can we regain trust when they are closed?" He likened the overall financial situation "to a car that has lost its brakes while standing on a dangerous slope."
