Defense Minister: The Cabinet Can Appoint a New Army Commander

The Defense Minister in the caretaker government, Maurice Slim, affirmed that "in light of the political movement to delay the retirement of the Army Commander contrary to the law, I reminded Prime Minister Najib Mikati in my letter that since October, I have taken the initiative from my position and we reached a legal solution to address the anticipated vacancy and the existing vacancies. Those who have turned against this process are Mikati himself in a letter he sent to me." In an interview with "MTV," he emphasized that "any action taken by Mikati in the Cabinet session regarding the extension of the Army Commander is a violation of the legal and constitutional authority of the Defense Minister," considering that "Mikati's letter is an encroachment on my powers and I reminded him in my letter that I am ready to continue the previously agreed-upon process and I want it to happen in accordance with the constitution and national consensus." Slim asserted that "there will be a challenge if the retirement is postponed by the government," pointing out that "there are multiple legal solutions, but the main point is that this invasion of the constitution and the law to extend the Army Commander is not permissible, and the Cabinet that can appoint a Chief of Staff can also appoint a new Army Commander."