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Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Tug of war in Beirut over geopolitical loyalities
of next military chief

NICOSIA — Lebanon has been divided over its next military chief.

Lebanese sources said the government of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora wants to appoint a pro-Western officer to head the army. The Iranian-sponsored Hizbullah, which has veto power over all government decisions, has demanded that an officer loyal to Iran and Syria be given the appointment.

"The naming of the new army chief is based on a priority order drafted under the instructions of President Michel Suleiman and in line with military regulations and technical standards," Lebanese Defense Minister Elias Murr said.

Suleiman was the last chief of staff of the Lebanese Army. In May 2008, Suleiman, in wake of his decision not to intervene during the Hizbullah offensive against the Siniora government, was appointed president.

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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."



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