KUNA: The Lebanese cabinet decided in principle Thursday to cancel the state security apparatus within framework of activating the security institutions. Information Minister Ghazi Al-Aridhi said after the cabinet session held in Baabda Palace today that the "government decided to cancel the security apparatus" indicating that General Elyas Kuaikati was named as acting director of this apparatus until putting the decision of cancellation in action. He added that "canceling this apparatus is within context of activating role of security institutions and their development" as proposed by Ministers of Defense and the Interior and by motion of the government.
This has obvious been translated from Arabic to English, with maybe a stopover in French or Hindi or something. They seem to be saying that they're going to dismantle the state security apparatus, which I'd consider an excellent thing, since it's obviously not loyal to the government in the abstract but to specific people within it. That's assuming my translation of their translation's correct, of course. If so, there'll be a lot more on it in Beirut Daily Star, though it probably won't show until tomorrow.
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Looks like it's accurate.
| From BDS, a digression in another article: |
 ... During the session, another security position was filled temporarily until the position could be abolished completely. Brigadier General Elias Keikati was appointed by the government during its session as an acting director general of the State Security apparatus. The discussion in the Cabinet focused on the possibility of abolishing the State Security apparatus and joining its personnel with the army and other security departments as part of a new plan to streamline sections of the security system.
| And maybe break up hostile power centers under the control of certain foreign powers? |
Aridi, who said the Cabinet did not discuss a plan to completely overhaul the security services, said the government had decided to disband the unit eventually "as part of a plan to merge the security services."
| Good idea. You should do that. |
Several security postings were filled during the Cabinet's unscheduled Tuesday session, where the administrative vacuum left by the arrest of former four top security chiefs, who are currently awaiting trial under suspicion of having had a hand in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. The key position filled was that of the Surete Generale, which was once held by Major General Jamil Sayyed - currently being held in custody for his involvement in the former premier's murder. Three other former generals had filled the positions of head of the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces, head of the Military Intelligence and head of the Presidential Guard and are also in custody for their suspected roles. |