As the government scrambles to avoid a vacuum in the top military and security posts, Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk is determined to bring up the issue of security appointments at this week’s Cabinet session, sources familiar with the issue said. A quick Cabinet action on the divisive issue of security appointments is deemed urgent given the fact that the mandate of Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous expires on June 5. The term of gendarmerie chief Brig. Gen. Elias Saade ended on May 22.

Efforts to reach a political consensus among the main parties making up the government on filling the key military and security posts have failed, thus enhancing the possibility of the extension of incumbent officers’ terms.

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