Lebanon Appoints New Military Leaders to Strengthen State Authority

Lebanon has appointed new military and security officials to strengthen state authority, particularly in the southern region after the Hezbollah-Israel conflict. Key figures include Gen. Rudolph Haikal as army chief. This follows political advancements, including the election of President Joseph Aoun and plans to recruit more soldiers to enhance military presence.

Lebanon has appointed a new army chief and heads of three security agencies as part of an effort to reinforce state authority, particularly in the southern region, following the war between Hezbollah and Israel. The newly appointed officials include Gen. Rudolph Haikal as the army chief, Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos as the head of State Security, Brig. Gen. Hassan Choucair as the head of General Security, and Brig. Gen. Raed Abdullah as the head of Internal Security Forces.

This move follows the resolution of a two-year political deadlock, which resulted in the election of President Joseph Aoun, a former army chief, and the formation of a government led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The recent appointments reflect the Lebanese government’s commitment to assert control after a series of conflicts, particularly the devastating war initiated with a Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel on October 8, 2023.

A ceasefire brokered by the United States was established in late November, ending nearly 14 months of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. As part of the announcement regarding the new appointees, President Aoun revealed the release of five Lebanese detainees by Israeli troops, negotiated through indirect talks.

Morgan Ortagus, a former deputy special envoy for the Middle East, expressed optimism regarding the resolution of territorial disputes between Lebanon and Israel during a recent interview. Additionally, Lebanon plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers in the current year to further bolster its military presence in the southern region.

In summary, Lebanon’s recent appointments of key military and security leaders aim to enhance state authority and stability in the wake of conflict with Israel. These strategic decisions follow a significant political development that included the election of President Joseph Aoun and the engagement in diplomatic negotiations leading to the release of Lebanese detainees. The government’s plan to increase military personnel also signals a commitment to reinforcing security in southern Lebanon.

Original Source: www.independent.co.uk