Presidential Vacuum to Hit Army Command, ISF
The crises gripping Lebanon due to the ongoing vacuum at the Baabda Palace are expected to increase with the near end of the tenure of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji and Internal Security Forces chief Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous.
According to al-Akhbar newspaper the tenure of Basbous ends in June, while Qahwaji's two-year extended term ends in September.
Observers expressed fear over the matter amid the presidential vacuum as the extension of the two high-ranking security officials or the appointment of their successors requires the signature of the president or the 24 cabinet ministers.
The cabinet assumes the executive tasks of the president as stated by the constitution until a new head of state is elected.
The presidential post has been empty since May 25, when former President Michel Suleiman's term ended.
However, if the cabinet failed to extend the tenure of the two security officials or appoint their successors then Higher Defense Council chief General Mohammed Kheir would become the acting Army commander instead Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman, who would retire before the end of Qahwaji's term. While Brigadier Nabil Mazloum would become the acting ISF chief.
H.K.
G.K.
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