BEIRUT — Lebanon has ushered in a new lineup of key security figures, including the appointment of an army chief and heads of three major security agencies as part of a strategic effort to reinforce state authority. This move comes in the aftermath of the devastating conflict between the militant Hezbollah group and Israel, specifically in the southern regions of the country.
These significant appointments follow a breakthrough in Lebanese politics earlier this year. In January, the country’s political factions put an end to a debilitating, two-year political gridlock by electing Joseph Aoun, a former army head, as president, and forming a government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
The backdrop to this political and military restructuring is a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that took effect in late November. This ceasefire put a stop to nearly 14 months of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which had escalated when Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in October 2023. This act followed a deadly Hamas-led incursion into southern Israel, igniting the Gaza war. Israel’s counteraction involved shelling and airstrikes in Lebanon, triggering an intensifying conflict that escalated into a full-scale war by September.
As part of the announcement concerning the new appointments, President Aoun confirmed that indirect negotiations resulted in the release of five Lebanese nationals who were detained by Israeli forces during the conflict. These individuals, a mix of soldiers and civilians, were released following negotiations, as outlined by former U.S. official Morgan Ortagus during a recent interview with Lebanon’s Al Jadeed television.
The newly appointed officials include Gen. Rudolph Haikal as the new army chief, Brig. Gen. Edgar Lawandos leading the State Security agency, and Brig. Gen. Hassan Choucair as head of General Security. Additionally, Brig. Gen. Raed Abdullah has been named head of the Internal Security Forces. In a bid to enhance military capability, Lebanon plans to recruit 4,500 soldiers this year to boost the military’s presence, particularly in the south.
Simultaneously, a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded a four-day evaluation visit to Lebanon. A tentative agreement for a $3 billion rescue package had been reached with the IMF back in April 2022, following Lebanon’s plunge into a severe financial crisis in 2019. However, the realization of this agreement hinges on substantial financial restructuring and reforms to tackle issues like corruption, many of which have yet to be implemented.
Ernesto Ramirez Rigo, leading the IMF delegation, stated in their report that dialogue with Lebanon’s new leadership was “productive.” The IMF welcomed Lebanon’s request for a new program to support its efforts in tackling the profound economic challenges the country faces. While Lebanese leaders have made strides in stabilizing the economy by addressing the fiscal deficit and halting subsidies, thus stabilizing the currency, these measures fall short in resolving the ongoing economic, financial, and social difficulties, including those linked to reconstruction efforts following the conflict with Israel.
