If the rumors about a government move to extend the term of the army commander have shocked supporters of the extension, this has not changed the reality of the legislative session or its agenda. Parliamentary blocs do not deal with the agenda as distributed by the council’s departments, independent of what the cabinet may decide in this regard. Political consultations have continued on various fronts, in addition to ongoing communication between several parliamentary blocs to coordinate their stance in the legislative session. In this context, there are reports of an agreement among some blocs to merge proposals aimed at extension into a single, more comprehensive proposal that would benefit all military and security bodies.
Alongside the objections to scheduling the cabinet meeting on Friday, there are pre-existing ambiguities among the opponents of the extension regarding any decision the government makes concerning the extension of the army commander. This has led to speculation during the legislative session that the government's decision regarding delaying retirement could result in some parliamentary blocs—specifically Christian blocs, including the Lebanon Forces bloc that proposed a one-year extension for those at the rank of Brigadier General—not participating in the legislative session, which could undermine its legitimacy.
Parliamentary sources told "Al-Jumhuria": "The legislative session is more than necessary at this stage, as it addresses a group of highly important items that desperately need to be approved, particularly the item concerning capital control, the sovereign fund, and several other items that fall under the category of utmost importance."
The sources pointed out that no one can strip the parliament of its legislative role by claiming that the council has become merely an electoral body since the end of the president's term. The parliament can legislate at any time, and there were previous cases in 2016 when the parliament held legislative sessions during the presidential vacancy and passed 76 laws in the presence of political blocs that now argue against the legitimacy of legislation in the absence of a president.
The sources indicated that the file regarding the extension of the army commander is fundamentally within the authority of the executive branch, and if the government does not fulfill its responsibilities in this matter, the parliament will take up the issue, and there are proposed laws in this regard, with a majority available for voting and approval.
Ministerial sources informed "Al-Jumhuria" that they were surprised by what they described as "the fabricated commotion regarding a matter that has not yet occurred." They added that if it is proposed in the cabinet, it would achieve the goal desired by all parties who are keen on avoiding a vacuum in the military institution.
In response to a question about whether the extension matter would actually be discussed in the cabinet session on Friday out of the agenda, the sources said: "I will not preempt the session and what will be discussed in it. The government acts according to what serves the interests of Lebanon and the Lebanese people, and all parties, especially those critically positioned against the government, know very well how keen the Prime Minister is on the military institution and its continuity without exposing it to any disruption. However, what is alarming is the hasty talk by some about a conspiracy that fundamentally does not exist in the Prime Minister's lexicon, rather it is always and eternally present among those we are accustomed to encountering in the battles they fabricate, even against windmills."
In the same subject, sources in the "Development and Liberation" bloc confirmed, "In principle, we support the extension of the army commander, and if this matter is settled in the cabinet, then the government would have fulfilled its obligations since this is fundamentally within its powers. If that does not happen, our decision is to go to the parliament and we will vote in favor of the extension."
In response to a question about the rumors regarding the affirmation of the extension for the army commander in the cabinet, a responsible reference simply stated to "Al-Jumhuria": "What matters is that we eat the grapes and not kill the caretaker," considering that the talk of some about a conspiracy is completely misplaced.
Additionally, sources from the "Strong Lebanon Bloc" affirmed to "Al-Jumhuria": "Our position is principled in rejecting the extension of the army commander. The leader of the bloc has discussed a range of solutions to this issue. The requirement is to adhere strictly to the National Defense Law and not exceed the minister's powers regarding any action in this matter, whether in the cabinet or the parliament, where it will be subject to immediate challenge by us, whether before the State Council if it comes from the government or before the Constitutional Council if the parliament approves it. The decision will definitely be annulled."
On the other hand, opposition sources informed "Al-Jumhuria" that the main obstacle to the extension of the army commander is not solely the "Free Patriotic Movement" but is also the "Hezbollah" party, the only beneficiary from weakening the army and any disruption affecting the military institution. They indicated that "we will confront this matter by all means, as it is no longer hidden that their main goal is to remove General Joseph Aoun from his position as a strong presidential candidate in favor of a resistant candidate."
