Report: Moqbel Signals Extension of Army Chief Term
Defense Minister Samir Moqbel has given the approval to extend the term of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji for an additional year in light of the difficult circumstances Lebanon is passing through, the Kuwaiti As-Seyasah daily reported on Saturday.
Extending the term of Qahwaji is the “best option and the most appropriate for Lebanon and the army in light of the difficult conditions that the country is passing through and in the absence of a president,” ministerial sources told the daily on condition of anonymity.
“The cabinet will approve the extension based on Moqbel's request any time soon although there are objections. However, these objections will not hamper the step,” stated the sources.
Moqbel had in August last year postponed the retirement of Qahwaji, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman and Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir, extending their terms by one year, after the political forces failed to reach an agreement on security and military appointments.
Qahwaji's tenure expires in September while that of Salman will end on August 7.
The army chief's term has been extended twice since 2013 despite political objections, especially from the Free Patriotic Movement, which says it rejects term extensions for any military or security official.
FPM founder MP Michel Aoun, had been reportedly seeking the appointment of former Commando Regiment chief Chamel Roukoz, his son-in-law, as a successor to Qahwaji.
Source: Naharnet
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/213937 |