Report: Miqati's Decision to Replace HRC Chief 'Illegal'

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati's decision to task Higher Defense Council chief General Mohammed Kheir to temporarily head the Higher Relief Council is “illegal,” al-Akhbar newspaper reported on Thursday.

According to the report, Kheir is an officer at the Lebanese army and tasking him with any duties needs the approval of the Army Commander, General Jean Qahwaji, and at times the Defense Minister.

Kheir and Mohammed al-Deen Dandachli, Miqati's financial adviser, were delegated to take unanimous decisions regarding the accounts of the HRC.

Miqati's decision had sparked the anger of HRC Chief Ibrahim Bashir, who was given an administrative leave.

On Wednesday, Financial General Prosecutor Judge Ali Ibrahim charged Bashir and his wife with embezzlement of public funds, money laundering and smuggling of money.

They were referred to Beirut's First Investigative Judge Ghassan Oueidat and are facing 15 years in prison if convicted.

The owner of Vaocau company, Hussein Fawaz, and his wife were also charged with the two suspects.

On Monday, Acting General Prosecutor Judge Samir Hammoud ordered the arrest of Bashir and his wife for their alleged embezzlement of $10 million from public funds pending investigation, after probing the case that was referred by a special committee at the Banque du Liban.

Bashir and his wife gave their testimonies on Monday afternoon and were referred to Judge Ibrahim.

Bashir had denied the charges, accusing the Miqati and the cabinet's secretary-general Suhail Bouji of trying to “eliminate him.”

Investigations come in light of Miqati's warning on Saturday that “haphazard accusations” by Bashir are punishable by law, revealing that he will take all the necessary “legal and judicial measures and procedures towards (Bashir's) irresponsible defamation.”