The approval of a proposal made by Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb to resolve the country's waste crisis is facing a condition set by several parties on the promotion of army officers, An Nahar daily reported on Tuesday.
The newspaper said that Shehayyeb's proposal requires a cabinet session. But the Free Patriotic Movement, Hizbullah and the Tashnag Party have conditioned the activation of the government's work to the approval of the promotion of around 12 officers from brigadier-general to the rank of major-general.
Such a move leaves Commando Regiment chief Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz in the military for another year.
Roukoz is the son-in-law of Change and Reform bloc leader MP Michel Aoun, who wants him to become military commander.
Informed sources told al-Joumhouria daily, however, that the promotion of the officers would harm the organizational structure of the military and deprive more than 440 officers from being promoted.
“Those trying to reach compromises at the expense of the army … are inflicting serious harm on the military institution,” warned the sources.
Prime Minister Tammam Salam has been procrastinating on calling for a cabinet session over lack of consensus among the rival parties on several controversial issues, including the waste management plan.
He is awaiting the first national dialogue session that Speaker Nabih Berri will chair on Wednesday to decide on his next move.
The all-party talks are scheduled to discuss the presidential crisis and other issues of contention.
G.K.
D.A.
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