Two powerful Lebanese security chiefs allied to Syria will step aside during a U.N. probe into the killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, a key demand of the anti-Syrian opposition, officials said on Friday.
Jamil Sayyed, head of General Security, said he had asked to step down during the inquiry into Hariri’s death, blamed by many Lebanese on Damascus. Syria has denied any involvement.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati had pledged to seek the removal of the security chiefs and hold elections on time in May in line with the demands of the opposition. He hinted on Friday that polls could be held on May 29.
“I have put forward a request to put myself at the disposal of the prime minister’s office for the duration of the work of inquiry committee in Lebanon,” Sayyed said after a meeting with Mikati, who has won opposition support despite ties to Syria.
Ali al-Hajj, head of Lebanon’s internal security, would also step aside during the investigation, Mikati told reporters.
Mikati said the move would facilitate the work of the international inquiry ordered by the Security Council earlier this month into Hariri’s Feb. 14 killing. It was not clear when the investigation team would start work in Lebanon.
A U.N. fact-finding mission earlier concluded that Lebanon’s own probe into the killing suffered from “serious flaws” and could not reach a credible conclusion. Beirut has said it will cooperate with the inquiry.
Sayyed’s move partly satisfied the opposition.
“We demand their resignation. But this step is a transitional step towards this goal. This step will facilitate the work of international inquiry and this is what we demand,” said opposition MP Atef Majdalaani.
May 29 election?
Mitaki’s appointment last week eased Lebanon’s worst political crisis since the war and boosted the prospects that elections scheduled for May would be held on time, as demanded by Washington and the United Nations.
Mitaki, who this week formed his government, said the cabinet had agreed on a mechanism to hold the poll on time. But the proposal would have to be agreed by parliament.
“If the honorable parliament does not agree, we will be forced to call the electoral authorities a month before May 29 ... on April 29, to hold the elections on May 29,” he said, giving no further details.
The pro-Syrian head of Lebanese military intelligence, General Raymond Azar, decided in March to take a one-month leave of absence.
Syria has dominated Lebanon since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. But harried by international pressure, it is set to finish withdrawing its troops by the end of next week. A ceremony to mark the pullout is set for April 26.
Hariri’s assassination triggered a wave of protests against Syrian control of Lebanon and forced its pro-Syria government to resign in late February.
Parliament would hold vote of confidence in the government next week, parliamentary sources said.
