New Proposal on Retiring Officers as Kataeb Says Roukoz Promotion Collapsed
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
A new proposal has been made to resolve the controversial promotions in the Lebanese army by postponing the retirement of several officers, a move that would keep the commando regiment chief in his post and would not contradict with the law.
A ministerial source told An Nahar daily on Thursday that such a proposal has been approved by the ministers representing former President Michel Suleiman and most likely the Kataeb party.
The retirement of the officers would be postponed for a year through a decree proposed by the defense minister based upon a recommendation made by the military chief in accordance to article 55 of the defense law, said the source.
Such a move would keep Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, who is Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun's son-in-law, in his post.
The proposal comes amid a settlement that the country's top officials were on the verge of reaching to appease Aoun and activate the work of the cabinet and the parliament.
The deal lied in the promotion of three senior army officers, among them Roukoz, to the rank of major general.
Roukoz' promotion would keep him in the army and make him eligible to lead the military, Aoun's long-sought ambition.
The agreement was not struck after reports that it included the appointment of a new Internal Security Forces chief and an ISF command council.
But several officials, including Speaker Nabih Berri and Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat, are now exerting efforts to appease Aoun by stressing that the deal on the military promotions did not include an item on ISF appointments.
The ministers of the Kataeb Party and those representing Suleiman have not been in favor of such a deal.
A Kataeb source told An Nahar that Roukoz' promotion is no longer achievable. He is set to retire this month.
Asked what Aoun's reaction would be if his son-in-law went into retirement, the source said: “He can paralyze the cabinet and the (national) dialogue session.”
“Let him do so and let the government become a caretaker,” he said.
“His ministers could be replaced by acting ministers if they decided to resign” from the cabinet, the source added.
G.K.
M.T.
01 October 2015, 09:40
00
I deny but confirm any and all rumors and baseless accusations by hired media or otherwise that my promotion to commander of the Lebanese armed forces is tied with the waste management crisis and in no way overrides the promotion of 250 other more senior officers. My qualifications and credentials speak for themselves and my military history is glowing with testimonies from beach goers at the Bain Militaire. I am loyal to Syria, Iran, Hezbollah but above all to General Michel Aoun whom I had the privilege and military honor to consummate our long history through marriage.
01 October 2015, 16:23
11
Very well put and very accurate and true as usual
Fayez Ghosn who extended the last time is a certified Mosstaqbal man in a cabinet made up of at least ten certified Mosstaqbal ministers..
01 October 2015, 17:02
01
After Alawistan they intend to create a Shiistan, a Marounistan, a Druzistan....
Good Bye Lebanon. Good Bye National Unity, Good Bye the Living Together.
01 October 2015, 17:10
03
Is Roukoz really a Lebanese army man or is he working on giving the army to hezzbellah. If I were Roukoz I would tell the terator to stay out of my business and not to ever mention the true Lebanese army and just focus on this Iranian terrorist army. But maybe Roukoz is also a terator to Lebanon and to the uniform.
