Salam Says Situation Compelled Extension of Qahwaj's Mandate

Prime Minister-designate Tammam Salam stressed on Monday that the current conditions force the extension of Lebanese Army commander General Jean Qahwaji term.

“Extending terms in democratic systems isn't recommended,” Salam said in comments published in As Safir newspaper.

Democratic systems are based on power rotation, he stated.

However, Salam pointed out that the local conditions “might compel the implementation of certain measures such as extending the term of Qahwaji because of the delicate situation.

Caretaker Defense Minister Fayez Ghosn had proposed that Qahwaji's term be extended until an agreement is reached on his successor, but further consultations with the concerned authorities agreed that the extension should last a year.

Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun vowed on Friday to challenge before the Constitutional Council the extension of Qahwaji's term, saying that it as “illegal and harms army ranks.”

The extension of Qahwaji's term which ends this September when he turns 60 – the maximum age for the post of the army commander – had created a disputed among the political foes.

Political leaders that support the extension of Qahwaji's mandate argue that the security situation in the country can't endure any vacancy in military posts.