Naharnet

Report: Change and Reform Ministers Will Not Resign over Security Appointments Dispute

The ministers of the Change and Reform bloc will not resign from cabinet over the dispute on the security appointments, reported As Safir newspaper on Wednesday.

Sources from Rabieh explained that bloc chief MP Michel Aoun is not willing to “relinquish the positions in cabinet in favor for others.”

“The response to the extension of the terms of security officials, should it happen, will take place from an unexpected place,” they added.

The response will be revealed before June 5, they said.

The Change and Reform bloc is represented at cabinet by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil and Education Minister Elias Bou Saab.

Aoun is pushing the case of security appointments to be discussed at cabinet before June 5 on the basis that there is a chance to find a replacement to Internal Security Forces chief Ibrahim Basbous, said As Safir.

There will also be enough time to find a replacement to Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, whose term ends in September.

Basbous is expected to retire in June.

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 to Michel Suleiman.

Media reports had said that Aoun is seeking political consensus on the appointment of his son-in-law Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October 2015.

Aoun has denied that he had made such a proposal.

M.T.

H.K.


Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/176362