Report: Protests Unlikely over Security Extensions Given Social, Security Conditions

The extension of the terms of security officials has been welcomed by members of the field, who ruled out the possibility of escalation over the development, reported al-Joumhouria newspaper on Saturday.

Security sourced told the daily that they “did not sense any popular sentiment” that may drive the people to the street over the extension.

“Such action is rejected for very critical social, economic, and security conditions,” they explained.

Moreover, they noted that the case “was tackled from all sides by political decisions at a time when the army needs military and moral support and when the country needs a lot of calm and stability to allow the army to address greater missions at hand.”

A prominent security authority told al-Joumhouria meanwhile that the country is at a distance from major regional political and diplomatic changes that may impact the Lebanese internal scene, “which should therefore be ready to confront any of their negative repercussions.”

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel extended on Thursday the terms of the army commander, chief of staff and the head of the Higher Defense Council despite months of objections by the Free Patriotic Movement, which rejects the extension of the tenures of high-ranking military and security officials.

In June, FPM supporters took to the street and staged a demonstration near the Grand Serail in protest against its decision-making mechanism and in demand of the restoration of the rights of Christians.

Scuffled ensued between the protesters and security forces guarding the Serail as the demonstrators sought to approach the building.

The FPM held an extraordinary meeting on Saturday during which its chief, MP Michel Aoun, urged supporters to be prepared to stage protests against corruption when the time comes.