Lebanese MP And Former Justice Minister General (Ret.) Ashraf Rifi: Lebanon Is Like Vichy France Under Nazi Occupation; When France Was Liberated, Vichy Generals Were Tried And Executed

Lebanese MP and former Justice Minister General (Ret.) Ashraf Rifi said in a June 5, 2023 show on OTV (Lebanon) that Lebanon is similar to Nazi-occupied France during WWII. He said that once General de Gaulle's army liberated France, they put the Vichy generals on trial and executed them. Rifi added that "every occupier creates a puppet regime" and the "people who support the freedom and sovereignty of their country [...] ultimately execute [the traitors]."

Ashraf Rifi: "I compare Lebanon to France during World War II.

"The Nazis invaded France. General Pétain formed the Vichy government, under the pretext of being realistic, protecting the homeland, and what have you. He collaborated with the Nazis, but, in fact, became a tool of the occupiers.

"Along came General de Gaulle and the Free French officers. They left France, cooperated with the Allies, and when they liberated France, they placed the Vichy generals on trial for treason, and they executed them, with the exception of General Pétain, who [was spared] because of his service in World War I. They left him to spend the rest of his life in prison.

"This is why I draw the comparison. Every occupier creates a puppet regime, in an attempt to prevent a revolt against it. As you probably know, in every independence there are martyrs, because there are people who support the freedom and sovereignty of their country, and this is why these people ultimately execute [the traitors]."