Berri Reportedly Plans Decree that Delays Qahwaji Retirement Date, Slams 'Suspicious' Campaign against Army

Speaker Nabih Berri questioned on Wednesday the “suspicious campaign” directed against the army, as a report said the speaker is planning to resolve the vacuum in the army chief's post by a decree that calls for the postponement of Gen. Jean Qahwaji's retirement date for a limited period.

“What is the purpose of criticizing the military institution at a time when the country is in great need of its role in maintaining security and stability?” Berri asked during his weekly meeting with lawmakers at his Ain el-Tineh residence.

In addition, the speaker linked the criticism against the army to the attempts to prevent parliament from convening.

“The current deadlock will lead the country towards more deterioration and decay,” warned Berri.

A dispute has emerged between political foes over the extension of the Qahwaji's tenure.

Berri is reportedly planning to resolve the vacuum in the army chief's post by a decree that calls for the postponement of Qahwaji's retirement date for a limited period.

As Safir daily said Wednesday that the decree would be signed by President Michel Suleiman, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Miqati and the caretaker ministers of defense and finance.

Berri told local newspapers on Monday that he was preparing for what he called a “constitutional fatwa” that would allow the extension of Qahwaji's mandate if parliament failed to take action.

Berri said the formula or the fatwa would pave way for the extension of Qahwaji's term, which ends this September when he turns 60, if the legislature failed to convene or a new government was not formed before the end of his mandate.

In remarks to al-Joumhouria published Wednesday, Berri was adamant to call for parliamentary sessions until there was quorum and insisted to keep the 45 draft-laws on the agenda.

A three-day session was postponed for the second time on Tuesday over lack of quorum caused by the absence of the March 14 alliance's lawmakers and the Change and Reform bloc.

The new session was set by Berri for July 29.

Miqati has also boycotted the session over his claim of lack of balance in the powers of the parliament and his resigned cabinet.

Berri reiterated that he backed the quick formation of the new government and said Premier-designate Tammam Salam should discuss with “others their ministerial shares, including Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun.”

“The shares of the Shiite sect are known. They are five ministers in a 24-member cabinet,” Berri said.

The speaker's remark came against the backdrop of criticism that he hadn't yet proposed the names of the five candidates of Hizbullah and his Amal movement to Salam.