The Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai met with Minister of Defense Maurice Slim in Bkerke. Patriarch Rai told his guest: "The region is boiling and we are headless, and in Bcharre we have a large cedar that was struck by lightning, breaking its head, and every branch is trying to be the head; this is how we are in Lebanon, so how do we protect our country?"
After the meeting, Slim announced that he discussed the general situation in the country during his visit to Bkerke, saying: "I briefed Patriarch Rai on the national defense institutions and the overdue entitlements, as well as the anticipated retirement of the army leadership."
Regarding the army leadership file, he said: "Retirement is mandatory according to the provisions of the National Defense Law, and the special cases stipulated by the law do not apply to the current entitlement, and it is impossible to bypass them regardless of the justifications." While emphasizing that he does not want to leave the military institution in any vacuum situation, he affirmed: "Extending the term of the army commander is not permitted by the Defense Law and requires an amendment to the law, which is not currently available."
He added: "Change at the top of the military authority leads to significant changes at all leadership levels, and the appointment in the army leadership does not diminish the role of the upcoming president." He concluded: "I have worked with Mikati to fill the vacancies in the Military Council, and the fate of the army leadership depends on the steps taken by the government and the Parliament, and I have done everything possible within the framework of the Defense Law and my powers."
