ISF-Police Dispute Cools Down for Time Being, Frustrated Baroud Not Going to Office Today
A possible confrontation between the leaderships of the Internal Security Forces and Police has been averted when political leaders from both the majority and the Opposition took steps to resolve the conflict – but the dispute could reignite any time.
The squabble subsided after midnight when a deal was concluded between Internal Security Forces commander Maj. Gen. Ashraf Rifi, who enjoys majority support, and Opposition-backed Police Chief Brig. Gen. Antoine Shakkour.
The agreement came after several hours of efforts by President Michel Suleiman, Interior Minister Ziad Baroud as well as political leaders from the March 14 coalition and the Opposition.
It stipulated that Shakkour would approve a memorandum from Rifi authorizing the reassignment of two senior officers – one from Beirut and another from south Lebanon -- to the Presidential Palace.
Rifi, in turn, would take back his decision to suspend Shakkour from his duties for 15 days.
The ISF-police crisis was discussed during a meeting late Thursday of the Ministerial Committee tasked with drafting of the Cabinet policy statement when Baroud was informed of Rifi's decision to suspend Shakkour for failing to obey orders.
Baroud was said to have expressed frustration over what happened and decided not to show up at his office today.
But beyond that, questions are raised about who bears responsibility for this behavior that nearly led a crisis within the new government, the daily An-Nahar wrote.
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