Suleiman Seeks Amending Age of Retirement for Army Commander to 62

President Michel Suleiman is seeking to amend the age of retirement for the army commander, suggesting that it be raised to 62 instead of 58, As Safir newspaper reported.

“We don’t want to have to extend the mandate of General Jean Qahwaji (when he reaches the age of retirement),” Suleiman told the daily.

The president said that amending the age of retirement could maintain the mandate of the current army chief until the end of his tenure so that the post of the head of army doesn’t remain vacant.

Qahwaji’s mandate ends in 2013 when the country is expected to hold its parliamentary elections.

“It is important that the current army commander remains in his post until the end of my tenure,” Suleiman told the daily.

The president said that the cabinet will refer a draft-law to the parliament on the matter.

Concerning his meeting with Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun under the sponsorship of Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi at the Baabda Palace, Suleiman told An Nahar newspaper that the meeting tackled the latest developments locally, including the appointment of top civil servants in state posts and the electoral law.

He described the meeting as “good.”

Sources close to al-Rahi also said that the meeting was “excellent.”

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who is loyal to Aoun, told As Safir that the meeting discussed strategic matters.

However, he said: “We want the patriarch and the president to disregard the minor issues of appointments.”

A dispute between Aoun and Suleiman on the appointment of top civil servants in state posts reserved for Christians, has prevented the cabinet from taking decisions on the issue.