The Lebanese Forces party announced that "we fully realize that today is not the time for political disputes, but rather to prevent the war that, unfortunately, the country is gradually slipping towards due to the continuous absence of the state. However, matters with the President of the Free Patriotic Movement, Gebran Bassil, exceed all possible limits regarding an issue related to national security. This requires clarifying some points raised in his stance against extending the Army Commander’s term."
In a statement issued by the party's media office, the Lebanese Forces reminded that "Deputy Bassil stated that his position is firm and principled, while everyone knows that his position is neither firm nor principled on anything. The only constant is related to his own interests and nothing else. Secondly, Deputy Bassil said that extending the Army Commander's term is not part of the necessary legislation, while the extension for municipalities, for example, was within the necessary legislation, instead of conducting these elections which were necessary to continue addressing people's issues amidst municipalities that have half of their council members dissolved."
The statement added: "The Army Commander is not an ordinary administrative employee, and the Army institution is not like other institutions, as its hierarchy is part of the effectiveness of its role. Changing the leadership in this delicate circumstance amidst war, vacancy, and collapse is a gamble and a risk concerning the country’s fate. The military situation requires the continuity of someone who is seasoned in their role and knows the institution by heart, and once a President of the Republic is elected, a new Army Commander will be appointed."
