Lebanon Names New Military Leaders to Strengthen State Authority
Lebanon has appointed a new army chief and heads of security agencies to strengthen state authority, particularly in the south, following Hezbollah’s conflict with Israel. These changes follow the election of President Joseph Aoun and the formation of a new government. Additionally, five detained Lebanese nationals were released after negotiations, and Lebanon plans to recruit new soldiers to reinforce military presence.
On Thursday, Lebanon appointed a new army chief and heads of three crucial security agencies in an effort to consolidate state authority, particularly in the southern region, following the war between Hezbollah and Israel. These appointments follow the successful election of a new president, Joseph Aoun, and the formation of a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, ending a two-year political stalemate.
The appointments occur in the aftermath of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire established in late November, which halted nearly 14 months of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This conflict escalated after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel following a deadly assault on October 8, 2023, by Hamas in southern Israel, which catalyzed the warfare in Gaza.
In a related development, General Aoun announced the release of five Lebanese individuals, detained by Israeli forces during hostilities, resulting from indirect negotiations. According to Morgan Ortagus, deputy special envoy for the Middle East in the Trump administration, these individuals consisted of both soldiers and civilians, and she expressed optimism regarding the resolution of outstanding territorial disputes between Lebanon and Israel.
The newly appointed officials include General Rudolph Haikal as the 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. Furthermore, Lebanon plans to recruit 4,500 additional soldiers this year to strengthen its military presence in the southern area.
Lebanon’s recent appointments of military and security leaders reflect a strategic effort to bolster state authority and enhance security in the aftermath of the Hezbollah-Israel conflict. With the election of a new president and an impending military recruitment initiative, Lebanon aims to restore stability and address long-standing territorial disputes effectively. The release of detainees also signals potential improvements in Lebanon-Israel relations.
Original Source: apnews.com