Cabinet Appoints Auda as Chief of Staff; Meeting on Saturday to Discuss Military Personnel Matters

The Cabinet appointed Major General Hassan Auda as Chief of Staff outside the agenda after promoting him from the rank of Colonel to General without appointing the Shia and Orthodox members. Mikati announced that an extraordinary Cabinet session will be held next Saturday, dedicated to discussing the conditions of retired military personnel and public sector employees, adding, "We are keen on the rights of all citizens." A Cabinet meeting took place at noon at the Serail, chaired by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, with the attendance of Deputy Prime Minister Saadeh Al-Shami, and ministers including: Education and Higher Education Abbas Halabi, Information Ziad Makari, State Minister for Administrative Development Najla Riachi, Industry George Boushikian, Finance Yusuf Khaleel, Economy and Trade Amin Salam, Communications Johnny Al-Qurm, Interior and Municipalities Judge Bassam Mawlawi, Environment Nasser Yassine, Culture Mohammed Wissam Murtada, Health Firas Al-Abiad, Labor Mustafa Bayram, Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh, Agriculture Abbas Al-Haj Hassan, and Displaced Persons Issam Sharaf Al-Din. The Director General of the Presidency Anton Chuqair and the Secretary General of the Cabinet Judge Mahmoud Makki also attended. At the beginning of the session, the Prime Minister emphasized "the importance of the Cabinet convening during these circumstances the country is going through." Meanwhile, retired military personnel are protesting in Riad Al-Solh Square, demanding their rights and emphasizing the closure of the entrances to the government Serail to prevent any minister from entering. So far, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi and Minister of Economy Amin Salam have arrived. Will the quorum be completed for the session to convene?