Mikati fails to find legal exit for Ibrahim's term as Shiite Duo looks for successor

Following weeks of efforts to find a legal solution that would allow for the extension of General Security chief Abbas Ibrahim’s term, the attempts have reached a dead end, in a clear indication on the absence of political consensus on the issue, media reports said.

“No one minded that Ibrahim stay in his post, but no one considered it to be their battle. Accordingly, as of March 2, Ibrahim will no longer be General Security’s director general,” al-Akhbar newspaper said.

“Mikati informed the concerned parties on the eve of the Cabinet session that there is no legal exit that allows for extension,” the daily added, noting that the search for Ibrahim’s successor kicked off on Monday.

“As per the law, the successor should be the acting director general, a post that was occupied by Brig. Gen. Elias Baissari for only one year following his appointment in 2019. The mission can only be tasked to the highest ranking officer in the directorate, Brig. Gen. Ramzi al-Rami,” al-Akhbar said.

“Baissari’s future depends on the decision of the medical committee, which will meet today… Should the committee issue a decision confirming that he is unfit for the job, Baissari would be sent to retirement to be replaced by Brig. Gen. al-Rami. But should it postpone its report for months, Baissari would replace Ibrahim pending the issuance of the report,” the daily added.

“Despite of this, there are deliberations to pick a Shiite successor to Ibrahim to run the directorate in a temporary manner, pending the appointment of an alternative upon the formation of a government with full powers,” al-Akhbar said.