Standoff Looms over Administrative Appointments
A standoff over administrative appointments has sparked a new round of bargaining among Lebanon”s rival political leaders, who are pressing to resolve the dispute soon.
Local media said Democratic Gathering leader Walid Jumblat insists on appointing Adnan Dumyati, a Sunni, for the post of Mount Lebanon governor.
The daily As Safir quoted Jumblat as saying that Dumyati”s nomination was "because he had been previously demoralized."
As Safir also quoted sources in the Druze opposition as saying Dumyati, who was former Mount Lebanon governor, has "clean hands."
Other political leaders, however, seemed to be proposing a "compromise," according to local media.
Regarding the post of the Director-General of the Interior Ministry, which was occupied by Atallah Ghasham, news reports said Hizbullah and AMAL Movement have agreed to name a retired Lebanese army brigadier general.
The name of the son of Brig. Gen. Fayez Rahhal is also being proposed for the post.
President Michel Suleiman has pushed for the speedy appointment of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governors and the Interior Ministry”s Director-General.
Meanwhile, a ministerial source told As Safir that administrative appointments related to the electoral process have been put on "hot fire," particularly with regards to appointments of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governors, as well as the Interior Ministry”s Director-General.
The source explained that governors for the Akkar and Hermel provinces would be appointed at a later stage.
He did not give any deadline to resolve the issue of Beirut and Mount Lebanon governor appointments, but he stressed that it should be settled as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the daily Al Akhbar said Archbishop Elias Aude has informed President Michel Suleiman of his wish to appoint Brig. Gen. Elias Habr as Beirut governor.
The paper said Habib Abu Fadel, son of MP Morris Fadel, and Ghabi Lion, an engineer from Zahle, are also being proposed for the post.