Jumblat decries 'presidential blackmail' in chief of staff file
Progressive Socialist Party leader Walid Jumblat has decried what he described as “political blackmail” and “presidential blackmail” in the current controversy related to the army’s Military Council.
“The Defense Minister is making an excuse that extending the term of the incumbent Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amin al-Orm would not be legal, although the term of former Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman had been extended,” Jumblat said in an interview with Annahar newspaper.
Caretaker Defense Minister Maurice Slim had recently rejected a request submitted by Army chief General Joseph Aoun for the extension of the terms of al-Orm and Military Council Inspector General Maj. Gen. Milad Ishak, who will reach the age of retirement on December 24 and 25.
“Army Commander General Joseph Aoun was a little late in his proposal,” Jumblat told Annahar, adding that “what is happening in this file and in other files is political blackmail on the one side and presidential blackmail on the other.”
Asked about the situation in the country amid the political bickering and obstructionism, the PSP leader said: “The country is sinking and some political forces are not electing a president, while others are questioning the legitimacy of holding cabinet session.”
“What is happening is absurd,” Jumblat lamented.
Source: Naharnet
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