Qahwaji Meets Roukoz over Lunch, FPM Lawmaker Downplays Move
A lunch meeting on Thursday gathered Army chief General Jean Qahwaji and Commando Regiment commander Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, several TV networks and newspapers reported.
The meeting took place at a restaurant in downtown Beirut, the reports said.
LBCI television said the two generals did not tackle the thorny issue of security and military appointments.
It also said that the meeting had been scheduled 48 hours prior to its occurrence.
In remarks to Akhbar al-Yawm news agency, MP Ziad Aswad of the Free Patriotic Movement said “these social ties are not of concern to the FPM and its policies.”
“The FPM's objections are not targeted against certain individuals, but are rather aimed at ensuring the regularity of the rotation of power in all institutions,” said Aswad.
Defense Minister Samir Moqbel has recently extended the the terms of the army commander, chief of staff and the head of the Higher Defense Council despite months of objections by the FPM, which rejects the extension of the tenures of high-ranking military and security officials.
Prior to Qahwaji's term extension, Aoun was reportedly lobbying for political consensus on the appointment of Roukoz, his son-in-law, as army chief.
The Qahwaji-Roukoz meeting comes a day after FPM supporters held street protests against what Aoun terms as the violation of the rights of Christians as well as Moqbel's decision to extend the tenures of the top three military officers.
Y.R.
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