Moqbel Says Has 'Exclusive Jurisdiction' to Extend Officers Service amid 'Political' Withdrawal of Confidence

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel hit back Tuesday at a call by Free Patriotic Movement chief Michel Aoun to withdraw confidence from him, stressing that he has “exclusive jurisdiction” to extend the service of army officers.

“The issue of Maj. Gen. (Mohammed) Khair is 100% clear and I have the jurisdiction to sign or refrain from signing” decrees extending the service of officers “according to the Legislative Decree 102 and the powers exclusively vested in me by the defense law,” Moqbel said in an interview with LBCI television.

“I used my powers,” he added.

Moqbel had recently inked a decree delaying the retirement of Kheir, the secretary general of the Higher Defense Council, whose service as an army officer will expire on February 22.

The minister's move infuriated Aoun, who called Tuesday for “withdrawing confidence” from Moqbel, accusing him of “exceeding his privileges and overlooking violations at the military institution.”

Aoun cited articles of the national defense law.

But Moqbel noted that his step was based on a suggestion from the army commander and Article 55 of the defense law, which stipulates the postponement of retirement in cases of war, state of emergency or the government's tasking of the army to preserve domestic security.

LBCI said Moqbel has also decided to extend by six months the service of military intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel, who reaches the age of retirement on March 20.

“This is exclusively the jurisdiction of the defense minister,” Moqbel noted.

Moreover, the minister said it is possible to extend the service of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, whose already extended term will expire on October 1, or even that of Commando Regiment commander Chamel Roukoz – Aoun's son-in-law – whose term expires on November 15.

“Should we need the services of Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz or other officers, we will act according to the law,” said Moqbel.

Meanwhile, former labor minister Salim Jreissati, who is close to Aoun, pointed out that “the request to withdraw confidence is a right for every MP.”

He noted, however, that “Aoun's stance today was political par excellence .”

Aoun's call “will not reach the extent of withdrawing confidence from the government, because it is a government of national necessity, but it has to abide by the Constitution and the laws,” Jreissati added.

The developments come amid a suspension of the sessions of Prime Minister Tammam Salam's cabinet due to a dispute over the signatures needed for decrees.

Y.R.