In an attempt to impose his terms for the next round on the Lebanese political scene, the head of the Free Patriotic Movement, MP Gebran Bassil, pointed out in a press conference that “the government today dares to seriously consider appointing a Central Bank governor, a military council, and later possibly a commander of the army in the absence of a president.”
“Our position does not touch on the basic issues related to the Lebanese people, as evidenced by what we have done in Parliament, but there are limits to the Cabinet’s authority, which are clear in the constitution. Silence about the previous situation led us to this point.”
Bassil later went on to say that “trying to pass the idea of extending [Central Bank Gov. Riad] Salameh’s term is a crime against both international and Lebanese justice. As for [normalizing] the appointments through the Cabinet [while the presidential seat remains vacant], it means that you can kiss the presidency goodbye.”
“Legally, the BDL governor’s first deputy can assume the role, but there are known responsibilities that need to be dealt with. The other possible and practical option remains to appoint a judicial guard because the entire Central Bank is facing the judiciary,” Bassil said.
“Those who care about the Army should respect the law and put a stop to the dozens of consensual contracts. Caring for the institution should be displayed by respecting its laws. And if, God forbid, a president is not elected and a vacuum in the military council persists, there is the principle of hierarchy, which has its known set of rules. There was a successful precedent in the General Security,” Bassil added.
“Any attempt at an appointment in violation of the constitution and by bypassing the minister of defense is an effective military coup that we will not condone,” the FPM head said.
