Report: Jumblat's Efforts on Promotions Reach Dead-End

Efforts exerted by Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat to resolve the cabinet crisis linked to the appointment of high-ranking military and security officials have reached a dead-end, An Nahar daily reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper said that a proposal made by Jumblat to promote a few army officers, including Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, from brigadier-general to the rank of major-general has been rejected by several Lebanese officials and the army leadership.

Jumblat had tasked Health Minister Wael Abou Faour, who is a PSP official, with holding meetings to resolve the controversial appointments that have brought cabinet sessions to a standstill.

The promotion leaves Roukoz, who is the son-in-law of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, in the military for another year.

Aoun wants him to become military commander and rejects the extension of the terms of high-ranking army and security officers, considering it illegitimate.

The government has been paralyzed for months over differences between the rival parties on the cabinet's decision-making mechanism and the issue of appointments.

Earlier this month, the ministers of the Free Patriotic Movement, which is now led by Aoun's other son-in-law Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, and their allies walked out of a cabinet session over these issues.

G.K.

D.A.