UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag welcomed the nomination of a new Commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces and Director General of the Internal Security Forces, a UN statement said on Friday.
“This is an important step in ensuring the continuity and effectiveness of these important state institutions,” said the statement.
Kaag praised “the role played by the Lebanese Army and the Internal Security Forces under the leadership of General Jean Qahwaji and Maj. General Ibrahim Basbous in maintaining security and stability in the country.”
The Special Coordinator also conveyed her appreciation to Maj. General Mohammed Kheir, the outgoing General Secretary of the Higher Defense Council.
Kaag congratulated “Gen. Joseph Aoun on his appointment as the new commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Imad Othman as the new chief of the Internal Security Forces, Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim on his reappointment as head of the Directorate of General Security – as well as Maj. General Saadallah Muheiddine al-Hamad as the incoming General Secretary of the Higher Defense Council.
“The United Nations looks forward to continuing its collaboration with all the security institutions in Lebanon,” concluded the statement.