Moqbel on Aoun's Confidence Withdrawal Call: I Didn't Hear Him and I Don't Care

Defense Minister Samir Moqbel on Monday dismissed a call by Free Patriotic Movement chief MP Michel Aoun to withdraw confidence from him over the security appointments controversy.

“I did not hear him and I don't care about that,” Moqbel told reporters after a meeting with Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea in Maarab.

“There's an Italian song that says, 'Parole, Parole,'” the minister quipped.

On Saturday, Aoun had lashed out at Moqbel over the issue of the terms of the country's top security chiefs.

“You are obliged to implement the laws on time because the army commander is illegitimate and you should resign if you can't do that,” said Aoun.

“We will reject those who reject us in this country,” he added, stressing that “the army command, the presidency and all first-degree posts in state institutions are our rights.”

“We should appoint the majority of Christian officials and the government should ratify their appointment,” added Aoun.

Moqbel and the FPM are at loggerheads in light of Aoun's recent call for withdrawing confidence from the minister over the extension of the term of the head of the Higher Defense Council, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Khair.

The military positions in Lebanon are suffering as a result of the months-long presidential vacuum in light of the parliament's failure to elect a successor for Michel Suleiman. The vacuum also threatens the position of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous who is set to retire in June.

The tenure of Army Chief General Jean Qahwaji is set to end in September. His term was extended for two years in September 2013.

Y.R.