Jumblat Discusses Qahwaji's Term with Arslan, Franjieh
Progressive Socialist Party leader MP Walid Jumblat agreed with Lebanese Democratic Party leader MP Talal Arslan and Marada Movement leader MP Suleiman Franjieh on the importance of extending the mandate Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji in the first such contact between the foes.
According to As Safir newspaper published on Wednesday, a dinner banquet gathered two days ago Jumblat and Arslan.
The talks between the two officials focused on the decision to extend Qahwaji's term.
The newspaper reported that during the banquet Jumblat also contacted Franjieh, after a long broken off ties.
It described the telephone conversation as “friendly.”
“Extending the terms of Qahwaji and (Army chief of staff Lt. Gen. Walid) Salman is a necessity amid the delicate situation and to prevent any vacuum in the military institution,” Jumblat told As Safir newspaper.
He pointed out that the “army paid the price to maintain stability and shouldn't not be subjected to vacuum.”
Salman's mandate expires on August 7, while Qahwaji's term expires on September 23 when he turns 60 – the retirement age for army commanders.
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