Lebanon's political crisis worsens

Press, 24 September 1988, Page 10

Lebanon's political crisis worsens

NZPA-Reuter Beirut Muslim Army chiefs have refused to join a Christian-led interim military Government, plunging Lebanon into deeper political turmoil after the departure of President Amin Gemayel. The Government, led by Army commander General Michel Aoun, will assume Presidential powers today. Mr Gemayel announced a six-member Cabinet, comprising senior military officers, at midnight on Thursday after Parliament failed to choose his successor. The Cabinet, the first military Government to rule Lebanon since civil war flared in 1975, was welcomed by Christian leaders and strongly rejected by Syrian-backed Muslims. “We are not here to rule Lebanon militarily, but to oversee a smooth transition until a new President is elected,” Mr Aoun, himself a Presidential candidate, said. Mr Gemayel did not set a time limit for the new Cabinet, but under the

Constitution it could rule for six years if Parliament fails to elect a President for the duration. Immediately after the declaration three of the officers — ail Muslims — rejected their posts, leaving Mr Aoun to rule Lebanon with two officers “This Government was stillborn,” the acting Prime Minister, Selim Hoss, told reporters, while the Shi’ite Amal militia leader, Nabih Berri, described it as a “military coup.” ' The Speaker of Parliament, Hussein Husseini described Mr Gemayel’s move as unconstitutional, but did not elaborate. Political sources said Mr Gemayel was forced to form a military Government because he was unable to recruit Muslim politicians and deputies to join a civilian Cabinet. Parliament on Thursday failed to elect a new head of State after Christian deputies pledged to prevent the election of Mikhael Daher, a Maronite deputy supported by Syria and the United States.