Charbel Slams Politicians’ Interference in Security Institutions

Interior Minister Marwan Charbel said that only Internal Security Forces chief Major General Ashraf Rifi has the authority to shuffle the positions of officers in the ISF, including that of 12 officers and the appointment of colonel Naji al-Masri as caretaker judiciary police chief.

He made his statement in response to former minister Wiam Wahhab’s accusations on Wednesday that the Interior Minister had “appointed Masri as judiciary police chief by force.”

Charbel told An Nahar newspaper on Thursday that Rifi took the decision “and I agreed on it… I follow the law and this step is completely legal, and it falls under the jurisdiction of ISF chief.”

He stressed: “This issue is linked to the ISF institution and we can’t allow any civilian to intervene in it; politicians have to get used to this.”

“We are bearing in mind the critical political situation in the country… However, I know how to appoint the right officer at the right place,” and politicians have to get used to stop meddling in security affairs, he noted.

He added: “They can suggest names, but they can’t force us to do what they want.”

Meanwhile, As Safir quoted Charbel as saying: “It’s unacceptable to impose political disputes on the security institutions.”

He said: “I work according to my conscience… when someone imposes an issue on me that contradicts with my convictions, I won’t stay in my position a minute longer.”

The Interior Minister agreed on a decision taken by Rifi on Wednesday on appointing Masri as caretaker judiciary police chief as Brig.-Gen. Salah Eid’s successor.