Intensive debates over the appointment of the new Lebanese army commander and other security officials
Lebanon's political leaders were engaged in intensive debate in a bid to reach agreement on the identity of the new army commander, signalling the start of the first cabinet session dedicated to two issues; appointing a new Lebanese Armed Forces commander and issuing an executive decree to establish diplomatic ties between Lebanon and Syria.
Speaker Nabih Berri met with President Michel Suleiman at the Baabda Presidential Palace. He told reporters following the meeting that the mass media was exaggerating in its reports about the appointment of the next army commander, adding that he believed the issue could be resolved "tomorrow or during the next session."
Berri emphasized that he would not interfere with Prime Minister Fouad Siniora's work, nor with any ministerial tasks, as he did not want the premier to interfere in parliamentary affairs.
Member of the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Hassan Fadlallah said on Wednesday that the decision over who should be the next army commander was a "delicate subject" that should not be influenced by "political disputes."
Fadlallah said that "a sense of national responsibility" should guide the appointment, which he said "must be concluded in the coming cabinet meeting so that the army can continue performing its duties."
Addressing Lebanese-Syrian relations, the Loyalty to the Resistance parliamentary bloc said establishing diplomatic ties between Beirut and Damascus will enhance cooperation and coordination between "the two brotherly states."
"Both states should be aware of the dangers that threaten their stability and should therefore work together to achieve their common goals," the bloc added.
Meanwhile, the Army Command's General Directorate said that some mass media listed the names of candidates for the position of army commander based on their political standards.
The statement said that the Army Command considers this interference in the internal affairs of the military institution, a denial of its national role and of its officers' ethics, and an offense against the future army commander.
It called on all media outlets to avoid undermining the military institution and to separate it from all political disputes so that it may better serve national interests.
(21/8/2008)
Intensive debates over the appointment of the new Lebanese army commander and other security officials | El Marada Australia