Upcoming Cabinet Session to Tackle Appointments of BCCL and Security Officials

The cabinet is set to convene on Thursday with several issues listed on its agenda mainly the appointment of new members of the Banking Control Commission whose term ends on March 17 and the extension of the term of prominent security officials.

Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil has listed the names of candidates for the BCCL which will be presented to the cabinet as follows: Samir Hammoud (Sunni) a candidate of al-Mustaqbal as president of the committee, Joseph Sarkis (Maronite) a Free Patriotic Movement candidate, Ahmed Safa (Shiite) an AMAL Movement and Hizbullah candidate, and Munir Elyan (Catholic) a candidate of March 14, An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday.

The daily said that debate continues to name an Orthodox nominee mainly that FPM chief Michel Aoun prefers him to be part of his share while the Finance Minister is inclined to suggest Toni Shwairi for the post.

The demands to appoint new members at the committee is expected to create a fuss in light of the vacuum at the top state position, as the 5-member commission would have to take an oath before the president, added the daily.

The government will most probably have to renew the terms of the current BCCL members to avert any confusion, it stated.

On the other hand, sources confirmed that extending the term of security officials who completed their extension period or those who are set to retire is inevitable as its impossible to conduct appointments in security positions in light of the presidential vacuum.

D.A.

G.K.