Abu Faour Urges Quick Procedures Regarding Military and Security Leaderships

Minister of Social Affairs Wael Abu Faour urged on Wednesday for quick decisions and procedures regarding the leaderships of the military and security institutions “to guarantee the safety of the Lebanese,” reported the state-run National News Agency.

“There is imminent need to focus on the security institutions and to do that we should focus on the security and military apparatus mainly the Lebanese army and the Internal Security Forces,” said Abu Faour after a meeting with Speaker Nabih Berri at the latter's residence in Ain el-Tineh.

Abu Faour was referring to the tenures of ISF chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji that will end on April 1, amid conflicting stances to either extend their tenure, as per the March 14 alliance, and the refusal of other parties, mainly the Free Patriotic Movement.

“We should speed up the procedures required, specifically in the leadership of the Internal Security Forces to guarantee that the institution is performing its duties to the fullest to ensure the safety of the Lebanese,” added the minister.

Voicing concerns on the tense security situation, Abu Faour said: “A basic agreement should be made. We have all seen in the past two days how sedition was moving from street to street. Only the wisdom of political figures redressed it.”

The March 14 alliance is seeking signatures on a parliamentary petition to urge Berri to call for an urgent session to discuss and approve a draft-law that extends the retirement age of officers in leadership posts in security agencies amid a strong opposition by the FPM.

According to the proposal, the age of retirement of the army commander will increase to 63 years, while officers with the rank of major general rank would be referred to retirement on the age of 62.

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.