Berri Backs Qahwaji against Critics for Seeking to 'Punish' him

Speaker Nabih Berri has slammed the officials criticizing a possible extension of the term of Army chief Gen. Jean Qahwaji, rejecting calls for the appointment of a new military commander before the expiry of his tenure.

The term of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous was extended for two years last week to safeguard its leadership, Berri told his visitors in remarks published in al-Joumhouria on Friday.

Last week, Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq postponed Basbous' retirement after signing a decree that would keep the ISF chief in his post for two more years.

Berri stressed that the same scenario will take place for the army leadership when Qahwaji's term expires in September.

“If a new commander was not appointed by that time, then Qahwaji's tenure would be extended for two years,” the speaker stressed.

“A new army leader would be appointed after the election of a president,” he said.

The extension of Basbous' term has drawn the criticism of the Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun.

FPM ministers have said they would only attend cabinet sessions if the appointment of high-ranking security and military officials tops the agenda.

Aoun is pushing for political consensus on the assignment of his son-in-law Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief.

But Berri criticized the FPM officials without naming them, wondering why they are putting the issue of the appointment of an army chief up for discussion before the end of Qahwaji's term.

“Are we being asked to isolate Qahwaji and refer him to retirement before the expiry of his tenure?” the speaker asked.

“This is unacceptable,” he said.

Berri also wondered what harm the army leader has done to be treated this way.

“Should we punish him for the stances that he took in Abra? … or his stance in Arsal?” he asked.

G.K.

H.K.