LF accuses Bassil of obstruction after remarks against army chief term extension

The Lebanese Forces accused Wednesday Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil of always obstructing the course of the state, after the latter strongly opposed the extension of the term of Army chief General Joseph Aoun, ahead of his planned retirement in January.

"Bassil is under the illusion that Lebanon is divided between those who support him and those who don't," the LF, which supports the extension of Aoun’s term, said in a statement, sarcastically adding that Bassil believes that there is a global conspiracy against him.

"The truth is that his policies always make him an obstructor to the course of the state," the statement went on to say.

Bassil said Tuesday that Aoun's term extension is "abnormal" and that he is the West's candidate and is "unfit" for the position.

He accused the LF of supporting the extension due to international pressure.