Hariri Insists on Election of President as Solution to All Crises

Former MP Ghattas Khoury revealed Monday that ex-Prime Minister and Mustaqbal leader Saad Hariri discussed with the movement's officials in Saudi Arabia recently the latest crises in Lebanon, in particular the controversy of appointing high-ranking security and military officials.

Khoury, who is Hariri's adviser, pointed out that the Jeddah meeting included “all the surfacing crises.”

They “agreed on the necessity of appointing a new Army chief after the election of the state's president,” describing it as a priority.

The ex-MP denied reports saying that he was tasked with carrying out contacts with the rival parties to resolve the thorny issue.

Hariri met with head of al-Mustaqbal parliamentary bloc MP Fouad Saniora and Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq in the presence of his adviser Nader Hariri.

The meeting reportedly touched on Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun's threats to paralyze the cabinet.

Lebanon has been without a head of state since the term of Michel Suleiman ended in May last year. The government plunged in a further crisis last week when it failed to agree on the appointments of high-ranking security and military figures.

Following the cabinet session, Mashnouq issued a decree effectively extending the term of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous for two more years.

His move prompted Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, who is a member of the FPM, to warn that Change and Reform bloc ministers would block any cabinet decision before security appointments are made.

Aoun has bluntly rejected any attempt to extend the terms of the officials.

He has been lobbying for political consensus on the appointment of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, his son-in-law, as army chief as part of a package for the appointment of other top security officers.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of army commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.

H.K.

G.K.