Report: Moqbel Signs Decree to Extend Term of Khair

The term of Maj. Gen. Mohamed Khair, the secretary general of the Higher Defense Council has been extended as he reaches the retirement age, media reports said on Monday.

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel has signed a decree to extend the term of Khair, who reaches the retirement age by the end of February, according to al-Joumhouria daily.

The paper added that “Khair will also be tasked with missions of the Secretary General of the Higher Relief Council, after being its acting chief following the arrest of Ibrahim Bachir and his spouse for embezzling public funds.”

On his part, Khair denied knowledge of any such information. He told the paper: “I can serve my country wherever I am.”

“Matters like that are strictly military,” added Khair considering the issue as the responsibility of Moqbel or Prime Minister Tammam Salam.

“I am a soldier and I am ready to assume any responsibility without any discussion if they need me. If they do not, I convey my thanks,” concluded Khair.

Salam is pushing to approve a cabinet bill to raise the retirement age of senior officers in the Army and the Internal Security Forces, reports said.

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

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

D.A.

G.K.