The army, despite the challenges it faces, does not need the internal conflicts of the political forces represented in the government to be introduced into the military council after Defense Minister Maurice Sleem rejected the proposed extension raised by Army Commander General Joseph Aoun for Chief of Staff General Amin Aram and General Milad Iskhaq, the military inspector general. Both are set to retire on the 24th and 25th of this month. This procedure was previously adopted smoothly by General Aoun and his predecessor, General Jean Kahwaji, to extend the tenure of several officers in coordination with the Defense Minister, whether in the military council or the intelligence directorate.
This issue arises at a sensitive time, amid a series of constitutional confrontations between caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and several factions on one side, and the head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," Gebran Bassil, on the other. The influence of the latter on Sleem, who has rejected the Army Commander's proposal, is no longer a secret. The military institution has previously resorted to postponing "military discharge" on multiple occasions without causing much uproar, unlike the current situation, which is complicated by the absence of a president and the turmoil surrounding cabinet sessions and who signs their decrees, especially since the Free Patriotic Movement ministers insist on having the signatures of all 24 ministers.
The Army Commander's proposal received support from Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, who based it on Article 55 of the National Defense Law concerning postponing discharge. It states, "Discharge of volunteers is postponed even if they reach the legal age in the following cases: - If they are in a health condition that has not been resolved. In this case, they remain in their previous capacity until the health committee's decisions are issued. - Based on the decision of the Minister of National Defense, based on the proposal of the Army Commander in cases of war, the declaration of a state of emergency, or during the assignment of the army to maintain security." From here, the Army Commander acted in accordance with the content of this article.
In the midst of delving into this file, which threatens military personnel due to disparate political choices, there is nothing to prevent or deter these forces from paralyzing institutions, even if they are military institutions, given the sensitive role they play aside from suggesting the candidacy of their commander for the presidency. It is still unclear what the defense minister and his team will do about filling two key positions in the military council and who will replace Generals Aram and Iskhaq, especially since the Free Patriotic Movement has indicated its opposition to a suggested Druze officer taking over as acting Chief of Staff.
Additionally, concerning promotions of officers, which are also under threat of paralysis, it seems insufficient that their salaries are eroded in lira against the dollar, as is the case for all public sector employees. The political struggle surrounding this file cannot be divorced from the issue, especially regarding the position of Chief of Staff, currently occupied by a Druze officer. Leadership sources in the Progressive Socialist Party believe that Bassil is exerting pressure on Sleem, thinking he can influence the party leader Walid Jumblat in this way. These sources state that the party prioritizes national interest and places General Joseph Aoun's proposal where it belongs to facilitate military institution affairs, indicating that the issue extends beyond the sect of the Chief of Staff.
Previously, MPs Bilal Abdullah and Hadi Abu Hassan from the "Democratic Gathering" proposed to delay the discharge of officers in the army and security forces, but these proposals did not find their way in the parliament due to various apparent and non-apparent considerations. If Sleem maintains his position and does not sign the Army Commander’s proposal, it highlights a sensitive Druze issue that cannot be easily overlooked.
In response to a question from "An-Nahar" regarding what is happening in the military council, Jumblat states, "The Defense Minister claims that the extension for the current Chief of Staff is not legal, recalling that there was a previous extension for former Chief of Staff General Walid Salman." He adds, "The Army Commander delayed a little in submitting his proposal (to extend the tenure for Aram and Iskhaq)." He describes what is happening regarding this file and others as "political blackmail on one hand and presidential blackmail on the other."
As the country faces all these open disputes and the obstruction of institutional operations, where is it headed? Jumblat replies, "The country is sinking while some political forces refuse to elect a president, with some others doubting the legitimacy of cabinet sessions." He concludes that "what is happening is absurd."
After all these chapters and disputes between political forces and parliamentary blocs that contribute to hindering ministries and administrations in a war over signing decrees, the Public Works Ministry may have no choice but to put up a large sign at the exit point for travelers at Rafik Hariri Airport: "Welcome to the Republic of Paralysis!"
