BEIRUT: A meeting between Interior Minister Nouhad Machnouk and Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun on the divisive issue of security appointments concluded without a breakthrough, sources close to the FPM said Thursday.

Speaking to The Daily Star, sources said Machnouk informed Aoun that he would put forward the names of three officers for the position of Internal Security Forces chief at next Thursday’s Cabinet session.

One of the three names is reportedly Col. Samir Chehade, the head of the ISF branch in south Lebanon.

If the Cabinet is unable to reach a consensus on any of the three, Machnouk proposed extending the term of Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous, the current ISF chief, for six months. Basbous is currently scheduled to retire on June 5.

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