Defense Minister on appointing a Chief of Staff: A new constitutional and legal violation committed by Mikati

Defense Minister Maurice Sleem commented in a statement on the appointment of a Chief of Staff in the Lebanese Army, considering it "a new constitutional and legal violation committed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati that is added to a series of violations and transgressions committed since the beginning of the presidential vacancy.

"What is necessary will be built on this violation to protect the military institution from the abuses that target it at a time when it is supposed to stay away from quotas, favoritism, and paying political bills," he said.

Minister Sleem denied that he had suggested "any names for military appointments, in line with a strong official, political and spiritual desire not to make any appointments to vacant positions in the absence of the President of the Republic."

He added, "Unfortunately, the Prime Minister was at the forefront of rejecting appointments in light of the presidential vacancy."