The army command issue was the main file discussed at Friday’s meeting between Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai and caretaker Minister of National Defense Maurice Sleem in Bkerke.
While the Patriarch has reiterated many times his commitment to maintaining the army’s Commander-in-Chief, General Joseph Aoun, at the head of the force in the current circumstances, Sleem pointed out that the defense law does not authorize the extension of the army commander’s mandate. “A modification of the law is necessary for this purpose, which is not possible at present,” he said.
General Joseph Aoun is due to retire on January 10. Nonetheless, multiple local and international parties support that he stays in position to avoid a vacancy at the head of the army. The Free Patriotic Movement (FPM), to which Sleem is close, is the only party opposed to this move, particularly due to the eagerness of FPM leader Gebran Bassil to remove General Aoun from Yarzeh and from the race for the presidency of the Republic.
Sleem explained that under the defense law, the retirement of the army commander is mandatory, adding that “the exceptions provided by the law do not apply to the current case, and the law cannot be circumvented under any circumstances, whatever the justifications.”
He pointed out that “the designation of an army commander in no way diminishes the role of the future President of the Republic.”
Sleem was thus expressing his support for the appointment of a new army chief, a move supported by Gebran Bassil and rejected by Patriarch Rai and numerous political groups, notably within the opposition. They argue that the choice of the army commander falls within the prerogatives of the President of the Republic, and that such an appointment prior to the election of a Head of State would undermine his role.
The caretaker Minister said that he had worked with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to fill vacancies in the military council, adding that “the fate of the army command depends on the actions of the government and parliament.” He assured, “I have done everything in my power within the framework of the defense law and my prerogatives.”
As for Patriarch Rai, he declared that the region is in turmoil and the country is without leadership. Comparing Lebanon to a cedar tree at the Patriarchate’s headquarters in Dimane, he said, “The tree was struck by lightning and the top broke off. Each branch is now trying to take its place. This is how things are in Lebanon.”
