Moqbel Rules out Vacancies in Top Security Posts

Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samir Moqbel has ruled out vacancies at the country's top security posts over a dispute among the country's rival factions.

“We will not allow the important security posts to remain vacant,” Moqbel told An Nahar newspaper in remarks published Tuesday.

The issue will be resolved within two weeks – whether through a decision to extend the terms of current officials or through the appointment of new senior security officers, he said.

The Free Patriotic Movement of MP Michel Aoun has been calling on the appointment of new officials and has rejected outright the extension of the mandates of the army and police chiefs.

It has threatened to resign from the cabinet or boycott government meetings if its demands are not met, drawing accusations of paralyzing the state institutions over its actions.

But Moqbel stressed to An Nahar that “all parties are working for the country's interest.”

There have been reports that Aoun wants to have his son-in-law Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz as army chief.

Roukoz's tenure ends in October while the term of Army Commander Gen. Jean Qahwaji expires at the end of September.

Internal Security Forces leader Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous is also set to retire in June.

In his remarks to An Nahar, Moqbel refused to confirm whether Roukoz could be appointed army chief.

He described him as an “excellent soldier,” and said “everything is possible.”

Moqbel reiterated that the only solution comes through the election of a new president.

He also denied that his ties with Aoun had collapsed.

“There are always contacts between us,” he said.

Moqbel has postponed the retirement of a number of senior security officials, angering Aoun.

G.K.

H.K.