Report: Mustaqbal Proposes Bill to Extend Retirement Age of Security Leaders

Al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MPs submitted an urgent proposal to modify the retirement age of officers in leadership posts in the army, the Internal Security Forces and other security agencies.

According to An Nahar newspaper published on Tuesday, lawmakers Ziad al-Qaderi, Nuhad al-Mashnouq, Atef Majdalani and Hadi Hobeish submitted an urgent draft law to increase the retirement age to 63.

Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji's mandates end on April 1.

The newspaper pointed out that a preliminary agreement was reached over extending the tenure of security leaders, however, the sharp disputes among cabinet members are expected to topple the settlement over the matter.

An agreement is needed between the March 8 majority coalition and the March 14 opposition over the extension proposal as it requires the cabinet to refer a bill to parliament for approval or an urgent draft-law proposed by at least 10 lawmakers to adopt it by an absolute majority.

The retirement age is 58.

Media reports has said that Rifi accepted a proposal to extend his term but only for a transitional period.

Rifi has been the ISF chief for the past nine years.