Murr said he would nominate the next chief of staff. He did not
elaborate.
"The Cabinet will have the final say on my suggested leader," Murr said
on Aug. 23.
The United States was said to be closely monitoring the selection
process of Lebanon's new military chief. The sources said the Bush
administration could halt U.S. military aid to Lebanon if the new chief was
deemed a follower of Hizbullah. Over the last year, Washington has provided
more than $200 million in military and security aid to Beirut.
The sources said members of the General Staff have been reluctant to
lobby for the post of military chief. They said the generals were concerned
that they would meet the same fate as that of Brig. Gen. Francois Al Haj, a
pro-U.S. officer assassinated by pro-Syrian agents in December 2007. Al Haj
had been regarded as a leading candidate to replace Suleiman.
In a statement, Murr acknowledged reports of a dispute over the next
chief of staff. But the defense minister insisted that the army would supply
its next commander.
"The army has a cadre of highly-skilled officers eligible for the post,"
Murr said. "The new army chief will be chosen only on the basis of military
regulations and technical standards in a way conducive to serving the
interests of the army and the homeland."
