Reports: Maroun al-Qobayati Replaces Roukoz as Commando Regiment Chief
Colonel Maroun al-Qobayati has been appointed as commander of the army's Commando Regiment to replace Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, media reports said on Thursday.
“The army commander has signed a decree naming Col. Maroun al-Qobayati as chief of the Commando Regiment to succeed Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz,” al-Jadeed television reported.
Earlier, LBCI TV and the Akhbar al-Yawm news agency also said that Qobayati has been appointed as a successor to Roukoz, quoting “military sources.”
Qobayati is currently the regiment's deputy chief and the commander of its first brigade, according to Akhbar al-Yawm.
“He took part in the Abra battles and was wounded in the Nahr al-Bared clashes,” the agency said.
Hopes have dimmed on the possibility of the rival political parties reaching a settlement on the promotion of several officers ahead of Roukoz's retirement on October 15.
Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun had been hoping that the promotion of Roukoz, his son-in-law, would keep him in the military and make him eligible to lead the institution.
The thorny issue of military appointments and promotions is one of the main points of contention paralyzing the cabinet's work.
Sources close to Aoun have blamed the ministerial bloc loyal to ex-President Michel Suleiman for the deadlock on military promotions.
Political rivals had held backstage talks on the promotions in recent days.
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