Parliament Approves Extension of Army Commander’s Mandate

Home
Reports
Parliament Approves Extension of Army Commander’s Mandate

In a session on Thursday, the Lebanese Parliament approved the extension of mandates for security chiefs holding the rank of Brigadier General and above, including Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. His term, initially set to expire in January 2025, has been extended for another year amidst political divisions and ongoing regional tensions.

The extension proposal, submitted by Deputy Speaker Elias Bou Saab, garnered 51 votes in favor and 47 against. Bou Saab emphasized that the decision aimed to ensure fairness for military leaders, adding, “We adopted a fair law to avoid disadvantaging the generals.”

On their part, Hezbollah MPs, notably Hassan Fadlallah, supported the extension, citing the Army's critical role in maintaining civil peace and state authority. “We want the state to extend its authority everywhere and defend its territory,” Fadlallah said.

General Aoun, who has faced criticism from the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) due to political rivalries linked to FPM leader Gebran Bassil, remains a figure of national and international support.

Presidential Election Scheduled

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri set January 9, 2025, as the date for a session to elect a new president of the Republic. Berri expressed optimism about the session, stating, “The session will be fruitful, and we have a month to reach a consensus.” He also announced plans to invite ambassadors from key international stakeholders, including France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt to attend the session.

Additional Legislative Decisions

The Parliament also extended the mandates of members of the Supreme Judicial Council and approved a proposal by MP Ibrahim Kanaan to suspend legal, judicial and contractual deadlines.

French Presidential envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian attended part of the session as part of ongoing efforts to mediate Lebanon's political impasse. Accompanied by French Ambassador Hervé Magro, Le Drian’s visit underscores France’s continued role in addressing Lebanon's governance crisis.

The session, dubbed “legislative of necessity,” reflected the urgency of maintaining institutional stability in a nation grappling with both internal challenges and external pressures.