Bassil Says Wants Appointments 'Under the Law', Criticizes Moqbel, Army Command
Free Patriotic Movement chief Jebran Bassil announced Thursday that the FPM wants the stalled military and security appointments to take place “under the law,” criticizing Defense Minister Samir Moqbel and the Army Command over alleged “violations.”
“The FPM has never accepted any illegal measure … We want the appointments to occur under the law,” said Bassil during an interview on LBCI television.
“The current Army Command has taken unjust decisions against some army brigadier generals,” Bassil charged.
He also slammed the defense minister for “committing violations in the file of appointments” and “usurping the role of the cabinet.”
“There is a problem that needs to be solved and solutions must occur in the cabinet and with the participation of the FPM,” Bassil added, noting that “the dialogue table cannot produce solutions as long as some parties are linking their decisions to foreign forces.”
As for the FPM's Sunday rally outside the presidential palace in Baabda, Bassil noted that it is aimed at “reviving the scene of the struggle movement that we were raised on.”
"My resentment over the electricity file is bigger than that of the civil society protest movement and the electricity projects were obstructed," Bassil added.
Earlier in the day, Colonel Maroun al-Qobayati was appointed as commander of the army's Commando Regiment to replace Brig. Gen. Chamel Roukoz, media reports said.
Hopes have dimmed on the possibility of the rival political parties reaching a settlement on the promotion of several officers ahead of Roukoz's retirement on October 15.
Change and Reform bloc chief MP Michel Aoun had been hoping that the promotion of Roukoz, his son-in-law, would keep him in the military and make him eligible to lead the institution.
The thorny issue of military appointments and promotions is one of the main points of contention paralyzing the cabinet's work.
Sources close to Aoun have blamed the ministerial bloc loyal to ex-President Michel Suleiman for the deadlock on military promotions.
Political rivals had held backstage talks on the promotions in recent days.
Y.R.
over 8 years
Thibran and his bullshit can go straight to hell, we're not listening anymore to useless talk. Worse those useless talk. BS and not even good BS because only afoot or idiot would buy it.
over 8 years
pointing to his empty skull and wondering what is in there
over 8 years
Why didn't bassil and his father in law make such a fuss when aounist block minister ghosn extended the terms of general qahwagi and the other security officials the first time, is it because son in law number two roukoz was still too far down the pecking order to be considered for army chief?
over 8 years
Imbassil...gangster, corrupt and "Little hitler"
over 8 years
FPM chief Jebran Bassil to LBCI: My resentment over the electricity file is bigger than that of the civil society protest movement and the electricity projects were obstructed.
you were the minister of power and electricity in hariri and Miqati government. Then, in Salam's cabinet, the Tashnaq ( very close ally of the FPM) minister is in charge of the ministry of power/electricity. Who then is/was obstructing your projects?!
over 8 years
and here Ladies and Gentlemen is the future thief president of Lebanon
over 8 years
All the down votes they are as legitimate and real as the votes that were cast to elect gebran bassil brazident of ze FPM.
over 8 years
@ba2doonis or the_roar:
you mean the trolls like you?
over 8 years
Sure Naharnet is removing the posts, btw I am one of the millions and millions FPM members who legitimately voted to elect gebran bassil ze brazident, I swear hand to aoun!
Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the gebran bassil comedy hour, a farce!