Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi has taken a significant position concerning the extension of the term of Lebanese Army Commander General Joseph Aoun. 

This stance comes in response to an effort led by Free Patriotic Movement Leader Gebran Bassil, and followed by Marada Movement Leader Sleiman Frangieh to prevent the extension.

To avoid making the Patriarch's position too personal, he made sure to communicate his views on the issue of the leadership vacuum during his meeting with General Aoun.

It is well-known that during this meeting, the Patriarch, while expressing his respect for General Aoun, commended the military institution's performance.

During their meeting, Patriarch al-Rahi and General Aoun discussed the security situation in the south, the issue of displaced individuals, and the army's activities in this regard.

The Patriarch reiterated his unwavering support for the army commander and his refusal to allow the leadership vacuum to affect this position.

They also agreed to maintain communication in the future.

In his sermon, the Patriarch strongly expressed his disapproval, stating, "It is truly disgraceful to hear discussions about removing the army commander at this crucial juncture in Lebanon's life, its security, stability, and international relations."

According to reliable information, the Patriarch's stance reflects his previous meeting with Bassil on the evening before the sermon.

During this meeting, Bassil openly voiced his opposition to extending General Aoun's term, stating that their ministers, along with Frangieh's ministers, reject this extension, and any attempt to bypass it would be unconstitutional.

Bassil's stance appeared to aim at diminishing the Maronite community's second most important position in the country, the leadership of the army, especially since the position of the presidency has remained vacant for over a year.

It has been reported that during his sermon, the Patriarch emphasized that the leadership of the army specifically pertains to the Maronites and that, in the absence of a President, Bkerke holds the authority to decide on this matter.

Observers point out that the focus will now shift to Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in an effort to persuade Frangieh to have his ministers participate in the Cabinet session aimed at extending the army commander's term. It has become clear that the decision regarding the extension lies within the Cabinet.

These observers also note that Berri's task may be made easier by the fact that Frangieh's and Bassil's hasty and uncompromising stance on the extension did not come with any presidential concessions from Bassil to Frangieh.

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the extension's significance is heightened by the fact that Qatar has linked its current aid to the army to the presence of General Joseph Aoun as the head of the military institution. This aid includes $30 million for fuel and $100 per month for each member of the military institution.