Mashnouq Says Extension of High-Ranking Officers Part of Ongoing Glitches

Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq considered on Wednesday the extension of the term of officers as part of the ongoing malfunction at state institutions.

“If it is a must, then I'll visit (Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel) Aoun to discuss the issue,” Mashnouq said in comments published in al-Akhbar newspaper.

The minister considered the extension similar to the limbo of appointments of civil servants to positions in state institutions.

On Tuesday, Defense Minister Samir Moqbel was at loggerheads with the FPM after Aoun decided to withdraw confidence from him over the extension of the term of the head of the Higher Defense Council, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Khair.

The tenure of Khair expires on February 22.

The military positions in Lebanon are suffering as the result of the months-long presidential vacuum in light of the parliament's failure to elect a successor for Michel Suleiman whose tenure ended in May. The vacuum also threatens the position of Internal Security Forces as chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous who is set to retire in June.

The tenure of Army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji is also set to end in September. His term was extended for two years in September 2013.

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