Interior Minister Nouhad al-Mashnouq stressed Saturday that the appointment of a new Internal Security Forces chief is one of his jurisdictions as Defense Minister Samir Moqbel refused to be threatened over the appointment of top-ranking security officials in state institutions.

“Next week’s cabinet session will not tackle the appointments’" dilemma, Mashnouq said in comments published in An Nahar newspaper.

He pointed out that all parties will assume their responsibilities and matters will take their natural course, saying: “There will not be any dramatic developments.”

Sources close to Mashnouq told al-Mustaqbal newspaper that the minister is holding onto his stance.

“Any decision to appoint a new ISF chief or extend the term of the current head goes back to the minister,” the sources quoted Mashnouq as saying.

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