Diplomatic Appointments Await Political Deal

The discussion of diplomatic appointments by the cabinet on Monday hinges on a last-minute deal among top officials on taking the measure in a single step or on several stages, informed sources said.

The sources told As Safir daily that linking the appointments of civil servants from all ranks would hinder the process.

Last week, discussions on the appointments were postponed after reportedly political forces interfered over sectarian causes.

An Nahar daily quoted ministerial sources as saying that the article on the appointment of the secretary-general and the director of political affairs at the foreign ministry was “consensually” withdrawn to make all the diplomatic appointments in a single step.

But the newspaper said that several officials interfered in the process, freezing the decision to make the two appointments which should have been later followed by changes in the ranks of 60 ambassadors, 15 general consuls and several secretaries.

The foreign ministry is currently witnessing vacancies in the two posts, in addition to 34 other diplomatic positions.