Latest news with #RudolphHaykal
Arab News
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Lebanese leaders criticize Hezbollah's refusal to disarm
BEIRUT: The Lebanese army on Saturday continued to detonate munitions left over from the Israeli war in southern Lebanon, as well as confiscating ordnance in the area south of the Litani River. Explosions were heard across southern Lebanon, accompanied by reconnaissance flights from Lebanese army Cessna aircraft south of the Litani River. During the most recent cabinet session, Army Commander Gen. Rudolph Haykal confirmed that it was no longer possible to cross the Litani River from north to south without passing through Lebanese Army checkpoints. The commander also reviewed the seizure and confiscation of equipment, weapons, and ammunition, presenting statistics from more than 5,000 missions. In a statement earlier this week, President Joseph Aoun announced that weapons would be brought under state control this year. However, campaigns by Hezbollah officials threaten to disrupt the path outlined by President Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to achieve this end. On Saturday, several Lebanese politicians came out against Hezbollah's attempt to retain its weapons. The Hezbollah leaders have not learned from the lessons of the catastrophe caused by their party. Ashraf Rifi, MP and former justice minister 'The remaining Hezbollah leaders have not learned from the lessons of the catastrophe caused by their party,' said MP and former Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi, claiming that Hezbollah was being 'reckless' and holding on to weapons 'in support of Tehran, which is negotiating with the US at the expense of the Lebanese.' He added: 'These people appear to have lost essential wisdom and reasoning skills. Sooner or later, the weapons will be surrendered and dismantled; history does not move backward.' Rifi's comments followed a series of statements from Hezbollah in recent days, in which the group rejected the notion of surrendering its weapons to the state. They issued a threat to 'cut off the hand' of anyone who tried to disarm them. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem said on Friday: 'Remove this issue from your vocabulary, as no one will disarm us.' He added that an Israeli withdrawal and reconstruction efforts must come before any discussions of a defense strategy. Iranian Ambassador to Lebanon Mojtaba Amani endorsed Hezbollah's stance, stating on Saturday that 'the disarmament project is a clear plot against countries,' and warning against 'falling into Israel's trap.' The Iranian diplomat posted on X: 'While the US supplies the Israeli regime with the latest weapons and missiles, it simultaneously prevents other countries from strengthening and arming their militaries. Using various pretexts, it pressures them to reduce or destroy their arsenals.' He added that when countries agree to disarmament demands, they become vulnerable to attacks and occupations, citing Iraq, Libya, and Syria as examples. Amani stressed that Iran was aware of the dangers posed by 'this conspiracy and its threat to regional nations' security.' He said: 'We warn others not to fall into Israel's trap, as maintaining deterrence is the first line of defense for sovereignty and independence, and it should not be put at risk.' Hezbollah's position has drawn widespread criticism, however. MP Paula Yacoubian characterized it as a strategy to enhance Iran's negotiation position with the US, and said Lebanon was being used as a bargaining chip. 'Iran, which has poured billions into Hezbollah, now seeks greater returns,' she said. 'To preserve the regime, it is time to make concessions, and the party must stop repeating outdated rhetoric while reclaiming its Lebanese identity.' Former President Michel Suleiman said in a statement: "No to threats of cutting off hands. No to hints of civil war. No to discussions about the army's weaknesses. No to claims regarding the strength of the resistance. No to the idea of keeping weapons in the south, the mountains, the Bekaa, the north, or Beirut in the hands of anyone other than the state. "Why is this important? Because if the state does not control weapons, then the state and its institutions will not survive. "Consequently, the economy will not prosper, and we will not restore our friendship with our sister state or the international community." Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that 'resorting to threats, especially regarding severing hands, has no place in a democratic state or a country seeking civil peace.' He urged those using such rhetoric to stop, as their actions have already caused 'significant harm and damage to Lebanon and its people,' adding that they should step aside and 'allow the new leadership to guide the country out of the tragedy' they have created. Geagea also urged Hezbollah to focus on 'rebuilding an effective state capable of restoring dignity, pride, and a decent life for the Lebanese people, and take the initiative to facilitate reconstruction efforts.' A political source told Arab News that Hezbollah's rejection of disarmament, most recently expressed by Naim Qassem, aimed to preserve internal balance and boost morale within the party. 'Meanwhile, the Iranian position indicates that Iran is trying to control Hezbollah. There may also be another explanation: they may be seeking to gain time,' said the source.
Nahar Net
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Cabinet approves appointments of army commander, security chiefs
by Naharnet Newsdesk 13 March 2025, 13:18 The Cabinet on Thursday approved the appointment of Brig. Gen. Rudolph Haykal as army chief, Brig. Gen. Hassan Shqeir as General Security head, Brig. Gen. Raed Abdallah as Internal Security Forces chief and Brig. Gen. Edgard Lawandos as State Security head. 'The army and security appointments were according to expertise and competency, and we're working in Cabinet with accuracy and strong keenness on standards and competency,' Information Minister Paul Morkos said after a Cabinet meeting. The Cabinet also approved the recruitment of 4,500 army soldiers in three batches, Morkos added. Moreover, he said that Cabinet will hold a special session on Monday to discuss a mechanism for administrative appointments. 'A draft law has been prepared to lower fees in the 2025 state budget,' he added. 'President Joseph Aoun clarified during the session that the International Monetary Fund delegation has stressed the need to appoint a central bank governor and the appoint the banking secrecy law, which needs extra amendments, and the banks restructuring law,' Morkos said. Aoun also said that Lebanese authorities are following up on the developments in Syria and that security agencies maintain high readiness to deal with any related emergency.
MTV Lebanon
13-03-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Who Is the New Army Commander?
As per the Cabinet session held at the Presidential Palace in Baabda on March 13, 2025, Brigadier General Rudolph Haykal has been appointed as the Commander of the Lebanese Army, and has been promoted to the rank of Major General. Here is the biography of Major General Rudolph Haykal, with his official photo shared on the Army's website: Rudolph Haykal Date and Place of Birth: 1969 - Beirut Languages Spoken: French, English Educational Qualifications: Lebanese Baccalaureate - Section II - Mathematics Bachelor's Degree in Military Science Executive Diploma in Strategic and Defence Studies Family Status: Married, with two children Promotions and Career Milestones: Joined the Army as a Cadet Officer and was enrolled at the Military Academy on February 12, 1990 Promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant on April 23, 1994 Promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant on May 1, 1997 Promoted to Captain on January 1, 2001 Promoted to Major on January 1, 2006 Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on January 1, 2010 Promoted to Colonel on July 1, 2014 Promoted to Brigadier General on July 1, 2018 Promoted to Major General and appointed as Commander of the Army on March 13, 2025.
