Suleiman Speeds Up Governors” Appointments
President Michel Suleiman has pushed for the speedy appointment of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governors and the Interior Ministry”s general director, only two days after signing a decree on judicial formations, An-Nahar newspaper reported Sunday.
The timing of the nominations aims to allow the three officials "contribute to preparations for the upcoming elections," ministerial sources told An-Nahar.
The judicial appointments have threatened to ignite a new round of political wrangling after the parliamentary minority voiced reservations on the names of some judges.
The minority considered the appointment of Judge Saqr Saqr government commissioner of the military tribunal as a "reward."
Al-Akhbar said that some minority figures see Suleiman”s green light for Saqr”s appointment as a reward for refusing to release the four generals who are in custody since 2005 for suspected involvement in ex-Premier Rafik Hariri”s assassination.
The newspaper also hinted Suleiman had played a role in the appointments and immediately signed the decree late Friday.