Fierce Competition on Post of Army Intelligence
Political and religious parties are competing on the name of the brigadier-general who will lead the army intelligence when the incumbent, Brig. Gen. Edmond Fadel, retires next September, local dailies reported on Thursday.
The newspapers quoted military sources as saying that the names of Brig. Gen. Wadih al-Ghafari and Brig. Gen. Fadi Daoud have been proposed by a political party.
But officials at the seat of the Maronite church in Bkirki are seeking to back the appointment of Brig. Gen. Richard al-Helou at a time when the army's candidate is Camile Daher, said the reports.
Fadel is set to retire on September 20. The government should appoint a successor at least a month before his retirement.
Meanwhile, the term of Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman expires on August 7.
The dailies expected an extension of his term, similar to the tenure of Internal Security Forces chief Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous, which was extended by a decree signed by Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq earlier this month.
The extension angered the Free Patriotic Movement whose ministers have warned that they would boycott any cabinet session which does not have the appointment of high-ranking military and security officials at the top of its agenda.
Their warning forced Prime Minister Tammam Salam to suspend sessions.
FPM chief MP Michel Aoun has been seeking to receive political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/182398 |