Hezbollah to likely endorse army chief term extension

Lebanese political parties are trying to come up with a solution before Army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun's planned retirement in January.

Aoun's retirement would add another gap to crisis-hit Lebanon's withering and paralyzed institutions.

Although Hezbollah hasn't announced its position regarding the extension of Aoun's term, informed sources told Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, in remarks published Wednesday, that Hezbollah would likely endorse the extension of Aoun's term, despite the opposition of Hezbollah's ally, FPM chief Jebran Bassil.

The tiny Mediterranean country has been without a president, while its government has been running in a limited caretaker capacity. Lebanon has also been without a top spy chief to head its General Security Directorate since March, and without a central bank governor.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has said that he prefers that cabinet take the decision to extend Aoun's term.

The cabinet's Secretary-General Judge Mahmoud Makiya has reportedly completed a legal and constitutional study including legal proposals to avoid a vacancy in the army command. The extension of Aoun's term is the most possible solution, al-Liwaa newspaper said Wednesday.

And although the Lebanese Forces and the Progressive Socialist Party also support the term extension, the FPM's objection would obstruct it, as FPM Defense Minister Maurice Slim would not give his required approval.