Pharaon Voices Calls on Approving 'Secret Funds' for State Security

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State Minister for Planning Affairs Michel Pharaon said on Wednesday that payments of the so-called “secret funds” for the State Security agency must be approved so the agency is capable of carrying out its duties.

“Payments of the secret funds for the State Security must be made so the agency is capable of doing its job,” Pharaon told al-Joumhouria daily.

He assured that the process does not need a leadership authority to be approved, he said: “The financial part does not require a leadership council. Some are trying to link the two, which is unacceptable.”

Pharaon's comments come before a cabinet session scheduled for Wednesday convenes to tackle a number of issues.

In October 2016, the cabinet approved the payment of the so-called “secret funds” that the security agencies use in their clandestine activities.

The cabinet approved funds for the army, the Internal Security Forces and the General Security as a dispute erupted over the funds of the State Security agency.

The State Security agency has been facing a leadership dispute between its director-general, Maj. Gen. George Qaraa and his deputy Brig. Gen. Mohammed al-Tufaili.

In June 2016, Qaraa had sent the premiership a decree on sending al-Tufaili to retirement due to the fact that the latter “has reached the retirement age stipulated by the law.”

The dispute between Qaraa and Tufaili has effectively paralyzed the State Security agency and deprived it of funding. Qaraa is backed by the Christian ministers while Tufaili is reportedly backed by Khalil, Nouhad al-Mashnouq and the ministers of the Progressive Socialist Party.

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