Lebanon named a new head of the armed forces Thursday to succeed Joseph Aoun, who was elected as the president earlier this year.
“Brigadier General Rodolphe Haykal was named commander in chief of the armed forces,” Minister of Information Paul Morcos said after a cabinet meeting, also confirming a number of other security appointments.
Haykal, 56, was made the army’s chief of operations last June, having previously served as the commander of the army sector south of the Litani River, according to the army’s website.
That area bore the brunt of Israeli strikes during more than a year of hostilities with Hezbollah that ended with a November 27 ceasefire.
Haykal is expected to play a key role in the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, a security source told AFP, adding that he was Aoun’s favored candidate for the post.
The November ceasefire required Hezbollah to withdraw north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border, and to dismantle any remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Israel was meant to withdraw completely from Lebanese territory by February 18, but it has kept troops at five locations it deems strategic.
Hezbollah did not object to Haykal’s nomination, the source said.
Morcos on Thursday also announced the appointment of the heads of the internal security, general security, and state security apparatuses.
He also announced the approval of the defense ministry’s request to recruit 4,500 soldiers to reinforce troops in the south, where the army is deploying alongside UN peacekeepers as part of the ceasefire agreement.
The armed forces consist of 84,200 active personnel with the ground force consisting of approximately 80,000 troops, the air force 2,500 personnel and 1,700 in the naval force. The remaining personnel are commanders, advisors, engineers, and members of the special forces. The LAF is an all-volunteer force. All three branches are operated and coordinated by the LAF Commander; a position customarily held by a Maronite Catholic Christian, from the Ministry of Defence which is located in Yarzeh, east of Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Currently, the LAF is ranked sixth in the world in terms of growth, with the number of military personnel doubling over the period between 1985 and 2000. The country has six military colleges and schools. Lebanese officers are sent to other countries such as the United States and Europe to receive additional training.
AFP/ News Media