Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rahi on Friday deemed the ongoing row over the officers' decree as "untimely" and "unnecessary", saying that this issue is being amplified in a way that harms the country.
Following his meeting with President Michel Aoun at the Baabda Palace, Al-Rahi argued that the decree advancing the officers' seniority by one year does not require the signature of the finance minister given that it has nothing to do with the state's finances.
“The officers’ seniority decree has nothing to do with the Ministry of Finance whereas it has to do with the Defense Minister and would sometimes require the signature of the Interior Minister. On the other hand, the promotion decree needs to be signed by the Minister of Finance," he elaborated. "This issue does not require any further explanation."