Lebanese government appoints new army chief

55-year-old Brig. Gen. Jean Qahwaji trained in the United States, Britain and Germany.

Tarek Mitri 224.88 (photo credit: AP)
Tarek Mitri 224.88
(photo credit: AP)
Lebanon's information minister said Friday the Cabinet has appointed a new army commander to replace the former army chief who became the country's president in May. Tarek Mitri said the appointment of 55-year-old Brig. Gen. Jean Qahwaji came during a government session Friday. The post has been vacant since Michel Suleiman became consensus president after an Arab-brokered agreement that ended Lebanon's 18-month political crisis. Differences between the Western-backed parliament majority and the Syria-backed faction led by Hezbollah and its allies have delayed the appointment of a new army commander. Qahwaji headed the army's 12th Infantry Brigade since 2002. He has trained in the United States, Britain and Germany.