Lebanon appointed a new army chief and security agency heads to reinforce state authority, especially in the south, after recent conflicts with Israel. This follows the election of President Joseph Aoun and a new government. The appointments come alongside a ceasefire and the release of five Lebanese detained by Israel.
Lebanon has appointed a new army chief and heads of three security agencies in an effort to reinforce state authority, particularly in southern Lebanon. This initiative follows the recent conflict with Hezbollah and aims to stabilize the region after heightened tensions with Israel, which escalated into a full-scale war last September.
The new military and security appointments follow the election of President Joseph Aoun, a former army chief, and the formation of a new government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam after a prolonged two-year political deadlock. This strategic move highlights the Lebanese government’s focus on restoring order and safety in the country.
The appointments come in the wake of a US-brokered ceasefire that halted 14 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel, beginning after rocket fire commenced on October 8, 2023. The situation escalated severely due to the conflict’s origin in a deadly Hamas-led incursion.
In advance of the new appointments, five Lebanese nationals detained by Israeli forces during the conflict were released following indirect negotiations. Morgan Ortagus, a former deputy special envoy for the Middle East, confirmed that these individuals were a mixture of soldiers and civilians.
The new appointees for key security positions include General Rudolph Haikal as army chief, Brigadier General Edgar Lawandos as head of the State Security agency, Brigadier General Hassan Choucair as head of General Security, and Brigadier General Raed Abdullah as head of the Internal Security Forces. Additionally, Lebanon plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers this year to enhance its military presence in the southern region.
Lebanon’s recent appointments of military and security leaders signify a strong push towards restoring state authority, particularly following the conflict with Israel. The election of President Joseph Aoun and the government formation have paved the way for strategic improvements in governance. The anticipated recruitment of additional soldiers will bolster military capabilities in southern Lebanon, further stabilizing the area.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
