Opposition Hands Berri Petition on Change of Retirement Age for Security Leaders
A March 14 opposition alliance delegation handed Speaker Nabih Berri on Wednesday a petition that calls for the extension of the tenures of top security officials.
The petition with nearly 69 signatures was handed over to Berri during a visit to Ain el-Tineh. It calls for holding a parliamentary session to discuss an urgent draft-law to modify the retirement age of officers in leadership posts in the army, the Internal Security Forces and other security agencies.
MP Samir al-Jisr said after the meeting: “Berri agrees in principle to extending the term of security leaders.”
He added however that he did not yet set a parliament session to discuss draft laws.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati signed the petition on Tuesday a day after Ministers Mohammed al-Safadi and Ahmed Karami did so.
The opposition is pressing the extension of ISF chief Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi and Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji to safeguard the country.
The issue was among the major reasons that led to Miqati's resignation on Friday.
The law that calls for modification of the retirement age has been drafted by al-Mustaqbal opposition bloc.
Rifi will turn 59 – the ISF’s maximum working age – on April 1, while Qahwaji will turn 60 this year, the maximum age for the post of the army commander.
Al-Mustaqbal's draft-law allows both Rifi and Qahwaji to stay in their posts until they reach respectively the age of 62 and 63.
Berri told local newspapers published Wednesday however that the petition is not binding even if 127 MPs sign it.
“I could abide by the signature of a single MP if I was convinced with his or her proposal,” he said.
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