The calculations of some domestic parties have expanded in a deplorable campaign targeting the Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, merely for calling on a religious, humanitarian, and national basis for comprehensive assistance through "collecting trays" and standing by any Lebanese fleeing from the south. Meanwhile, other "wealthy" parties have failed to grasp major looming issues, such as addressing the vacancy in the military leadership, fearing it will be added to the list of constitutional and military institutions that are consecutively falling into a rolling void.
In the wake of the Patriarch's call for churches to prepare to assist the families in the south, the internal event yesterday shifted from the resuming field confrontations that have rekindled in the border areas and diverted attention from the Cabinet session and the military vacancy file, to a vicious and vulgar attack on Patriarch Al-Rahi via social media, which has reached a level of accusing the Patriarch of collaboration with Israel. This campaign provoked several reactions, the most notable of which came from the Druze leader and former head of the Progressive Socialist Party, Walid Jumblatt, who condemned "any incendiary internal rhetoric, especially against Patriarch Al-Rahi in this exceptionally dangerous phase in the history of Lebanon and the region," considering that internal unity is above all considerations.
This comes amidst information indicating patriarchal displeasure regarding the stagnation surrounding the presidential file, particularly since there has been no serious and purposeful movement to breach this deadlock. Bkirki believes, according to leaks, that "Christian parties are required to prioritize this issue, along with non-Christian blocs, as this file, in light of the challenges and conditions in the region, has become a significant, if not existential, responsibility, given the open possibilities facing the region and Lebanon."
Bkirki insists, as per its associates, that "those silent about this situation are 'dumb devils,' and what is needed is to move immediately to a political equation that goes beyond the logic of power and the current sterile alignments, leading to the election of a president who can reconstitute the constitutional, financial, and military institutions, thereby revitalizing Lebanon's presence and role in the critical upcoming phase."
In the same context, sources quoted in Al-Nahar newspaper reported that "Bkirki considers the extension of the void to basic positions, particularly Christian and Maronite ones, to threaten the system and the continuity of the state amid the successive financial, monetary, economic, and social collapses, which also encompass the remaining political and military sectors. Is this what is desired? If not, what does this deadly silence and stagnation mean?"
Regarding the extension of Army Commander Joseph Aoun, it was not surprising that the last attempts made before the Cabinet session yesterday, aimed at finding a workaround for the extension, hit the Aounist dead-end again. It seems that the recent widening support for the option of delaying the retirement of the Army Commander for six months, along with appointing a Chief of Staff, has triggered the Aounist's alertness to a high degree, especially concerning "Hezbollah," out of fear that the Shiite duo might go along with this option, thus bringing the matter back to a stalemate without any resolution.
In a statement refuting remarks attributed to him regarding his opposition to the extension for General Joseph Aoun, former President Michel Aoun affirmed that "in the matter of extending for any employee, specifically leaders of military and security institutions, President Aoun's position is clear, public, and unequivocal; it is not new. He completely rejects anything that constitutes a violation of laws and the constitution, which he previously swore to uphold when he was president."
Political sources informed "Al-Nahar" that the head of the "Free Patriotic Movement," MP Gebran Bassil, stressed that the extension for Joseph Aoun would not pass and that he proposed to Patriarch Al-Rahi that if there were reservations about appointing the senior-most officer due to him not being Maronite, namely Major General Pierre Sadak, that the current head of military intelligence, Brigadier General Tony Kahwaji, be appointed as Army Commander.
The same sources pointed out that Speaker Nabih Berri's position still insists that the decision should come from the Cabinet, not the Parliament, and as long as the Minister of Defense opposes the extension, matters within the government will not shift in favor of the extension. Amidst these complexities, a Cabinet session was held at the Grand Serail before noon where the quorum was secured, but there was no discussion on the extension file for the Army Commander, pending further consultations among political forces. However, the extension for "Lebanon Post" was approved, discussions about "Starlink" were postponed, and family compensation values in social security were raised.
In his remarks at the start of the session, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati stated, "Some attempted to drag the government back into discussions that, on the surface, appear constitutional and political, but beneath them lie obstructive and monopolistic issues. However, we are determined to continue our work, avoiding the sterile disputes that the Lebanese have grown weary of, and affirming that the government operates according to what it deems appropriate, not according to agendas that some are trying to impose on essential deadlines in this pivotal phase."
He added, "In any case, any decision we make regarding any urgent issue will primarily be based on the national interest and the priority of strengthening institutions in this critical phase. Certainly, the government will not be a venue used by those seeking to settle personal scores and individual disputes at the expense of public interest."
Moreover, after the session, acting Minister of Information and Minister of Education Abbas Halabi clarified, "The extension of military leadership requires more discussion so that the issue is not seen as a challenge to any party, and military leadership should not be vacant; the mission of the Army Commander must continue."
Later, MP Nada Bustani, a member of the "Strong Lebanon" bloc, criticized Mikati, saying, "Each time, the caretaker Prime Minister surprises us by bypassing the constitution and undermining the foundations on which the National Accord document was built. Passing the extension for the Army Commander or postponing his retirement is a clear legal violation and a decision resulting from narrow personal calculations at the expense of national interest, and more worryingly, at the expense of stability in the military institution and all deserving officers. We repeatedly stated that legal solutions exist, and there is no escape from respecting the position of the Minister of Defense, through which any decision related to the leadership of the army must pass."
