NICOSIA — In the first such move since the 1970s, Lebanon has purged
its pro-Syrian security leadership.
The new government of Prime Minister Najib Miqati has fired or replaced
three security chiefs and the prosecutor-general. All four officials were
described as having followed orders of Syria to quell those opposed to that
country's military presence in Lebanon.
The reshuffle of Lebanon's security leadership has not led to a
significant easing of restrictions on civil liberties. Over the last week,
security forces clashed with protesters who sought information on the
release of their relatives detained by Lebanese or Syrian authorities, Middle East Newsline reported.
Western diplomatic sources said that despite the Syrian military
withdrawal Miqati was expected to follow orders issued by Damascus. Miqati
was scheduled to arrive in Damascus on May 4 for his first meeting with
Syrian President Bashar Assad.
The government also appointed a military intelligence chief and police
commander. The new intelligence chief was identified as George Khoury, who
replaced Raymond Azar, who left for France with his family last week amid
the Syrian military withdrawal from Lebanon.
The Cabinet also appointed Brig. Gen. Ashraf Rifi as the nation's new
police commander. Rifi replaced Ali Haj who was forced to resign last week.
Last week, General Security chief Jamil Sayed, regarded as the most
powerful security commander in Lebanon, also resigned. The Cabinet has not
named a successor.
At the same time, Lebanese authorities have been seizing posters sent
from Europe that announced an award for information leading to the location
of an Israeli airman downed in a mission over Lebanon in 1986. The
London-based A-Sharq Al Awsat daily reported on Friday that the award
posters on the Israeli, identified as Ron Arad, appeared in several
neighborhoods of Lebanon's capital.
