Minister of Defense: The Army Commander Must Obtain My Permission to Travel

Minister of Defense in the caretaker government, Maurice Sleem, confirmed that "there are no political reasons or backgrounds for any actions I take in the Ministry of National Defense, and differences arise only in the law." He pointed out that he had initiated on several occasions the appointment of a Chief of Staff, the first being before the end of the term of former President Michel Aoun, and informed caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati that their government is a "caretaker" government and does not have the authority to make appointments. He stressed, in an interview with Al-Jadeed channel, that "it is not possible to appoint a Chief of Staff through a Cabinet decision; this action will not pass as it exceeds the authority of the Minister of Defense and is akin to undermining state institutions." He deemed the appointment of the Chief of Staff unconstitutional and illegal, asserting that he would not allow this violation and would insist on not recognizing it until matters stabilize. Sleem indicated that "if the Army Commander wishes to travel, he must obtain my permission, and no one can manage me, not even the Prime Minister."