Naharnet

Moqbel Inks Decree Extending Tenure of Army Intelligence Chief

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel signed on Thursday a decree to extend the term of Army Intelligence chief Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel, which ends on March 20.

The decree extends Fadel's term by six months, media reports said.

The minister stressed in comments published the day before in local newspapers that the extension of Fadel's tenure comes in accordance with his jurisdictions.

Moqbel and the Free Patriotic Movement were recently at loggerheads after FPM chief MP Michel Aoun decided to withdraw confidence from him over the extension of the term of the head of the Higher Defense Council, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Khair.

The military positions in Lebanon are suffering as a result of the months-long presidential vacuum in light of the parliament's failure to elect a successor for Michel Suleiman. The vacuum also threatens the position of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous who is set to retire in June.

The tenure of Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji is set to end in September. His term was extended for two years in September 2013.

H.K.

G.K.


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