Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal has ignited a political dispute by asserting that the military's policy is synonymous with national policy. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Haykal addressed troops by stating that anyone who disagrees with the army's stance is on the opposing side. He further argued that citizens who criticize the military are not suited for Lebanon, a statement that has prompted a debate over the balance of power between the military and the government.
The controversy has drawn sharp criticism from several lawmakers who accuse Haykal of overstepping his mandate. MP Waddah Sadek questioned whether Lebanon was effectively under military rule, asking if the Taif Agreement and the government's collective authority were still in force. MP Michel Douaihy emphasized that citizens have the right to scrutinize state institutions without anyone monopolizing the definition of patriotism. Mark Daou added that national policy is determined by the president and government, not the army chief, who should remain politically neutral.
Supporters of the military command argue that Haykal's cautious approach is necessary to maintain internal stability and shield the force from partisan fragmentation. Jimmy Jabbour, an MP from the Free Patriotic Movement, characterized the remarks as a defensive reaction to persistent political attacks on the military. He suggested that certain politicians were willing to force a clash with the army, potentially risking civil war, to leverage state institutions for personal gain.
Lawmakers from the Hezbollah and Amal Movement also backed the army chief. Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah MP, viewed the resistance and the Lebanese Army as the twin pillars of strength essential for safeguarding the nation. He blamed opponents for targeting both bodies to resurrect the idea of sectarian mini-states. Qabalan Qabalan, an Amal MP, praised Haykal for guiding the national conversation appropriately, insisting that the military continues to guarantee national dignity.
Constitutional expert Dr. Said Malek offered a legal perspective, noting that the army commander is appointed via Cabinet decree under Lebanon's National Defense Law. Malek explained that the commander operates under the Cabinet's oversight and must align with executive decisions. He cautioned that deviating from government policy creates legal consequences, since the Cabinet holds exclusive power to define general policy across all sectors, including military affairs.