Lebanon Appoints New Military Leadership to Reinforce State Authority

Lebanon has appointed a new army chief and heads of security agencies to strengthen state authority, particularly after recent conflicts with Israel. These changes follow a political resolution that elected President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Additionally, Lebanon aims to recruit more soldiers to enhance its military presence in the south.

On Thursday, Lebanon appointed a new army chief and leaders for three key security agencies in a concerted effort to strengthen state authority, particularly in the southern regions. These appointments follow the resolution of a two-year political deadlock that resulted in the election of President Joseph Aoun, a former army chief, and the establishment of a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

The backdrop for these changes includes a US-brokered ceasefire implemented in late November that ended nearly 14 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This escalation began on October 8, 2023, after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel, provoking Israeli military responses and culminating in a multifaceted war last September.

In his announcement of the new appointments, President Aoun also reported the release of five Lebanese individuals who were detained by Israeli forces during the recent hostilities. These individuals, which included both soldiers and civilians, were released following indirect negotiations, as indicated by Morgan Ortagus, Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East.

The newly appointed officials are: 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 Internal Security Forces. Additionally, Lebanon plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers this year to bolster military presence in the southern region.

Lebanon’s recent appointments of key military and security officials represent a significant step towards reinforcing state authority amid ongoing regional tensions. These developments, occurring after a prolonged political impasse, also highlight the country’s response to the aftermath of conflict with Israel as it seeks stability and security in its southern territories.

Original Source: www.newarab.com