Fears of Security Chaos after Military Promotions Reach Standstill

High-ranking al-Mustaqbal Movement officials have expressed fear that the country's growing political crisis would lead to security problems.

The officials, who were not identified, told al-Akhbar daily on Thursday that their fears stem from the failure to reach a settlement on the so-called military promotions.

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour has been tasked by Progressive Socialist Party chief MP Walid Jumblat to resolve the matter in coordination with Speaker Nabih Berri.

Despite Abou Faour's announcement that there was still hope on the promotion of several officers ahead of the retirement of Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz on October 15, sources close to Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun expressed pessimism on a possible deal.

Aoun had been hoping that the promotion of Roukoz, his son-in-law, would keep him in the military and make him eligible to lead the institution.

The sources warned that the country would fall into more paralysis as a result of the insistence of the March 14 alliance to confront Aoun.

“What we understand is that we can't force (the other camp) to hold parliamentary elections. On the other hand, it should understand that it can't impose on us holding presidential polls,” they said.

“The country is heading towards more paralysis,” the sources added.

Lebanon's constitutional institutions became paralyzed after the expiry of President Michel Suleiman's term in May last year.

Parliament has been unable to meet and the cabinet is facing a deadlock over differences on many controversial issues, including its decision-making mechanism and the promotion of high-ranking officers.

Aoun's sources blamed Suleiman for the deadlock on the promotions.

Meanwhile, Suleiman has reportedly expressed his frustration at the failure of Berri to brief him on the results of the national dialogue that he is chairing.

His visitors told al-Akhbar that Suleiman considers himself not involved in any issue that would facilitate a matter that Berri is working on.