BEIRUT -- Lebanon's military intelligence chief has taken what officials called "a one month leave of absence," amid growing demands from the country's political opposition that pro-Syrian security chiefs resign.

Brigadier Raymond Azar began his leave yesterday afternoon. A security insider said: "A long-term leave of absence, in military terms, can be perceived as a near-resignation."

It is understood that Lieutenant General Georges Khoury, head of military intelligence in Mount Lebanon, has been appointed interim chief of military intelligence following Azar's departure. Khoury's promotion comes ahead of two of his more senior colleagues, Lieutenant Generals Ali Jaber and Ali Smeili.

Jaber and Smeili, both Shiites, are understood to have been overlooked because the post of military intelligence chief is traditionally granted to a Maronite Christian.

Pointedly, Khoury is also understood to be "in good favor" with the opposition, because he enjoys the trust of Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Butros Sfeir.

Head of the military information office, General Elias Farhat confirmed Khoury's appointment.

He said: "Georges Khoury is simply next in line and his appointment was natural."

Farhat said that Azar's decision to go on leave came "because of the political situation in the country."

The move came only days after the United Nations fact-finding mission into Hariri's killing stated that the investigations were being hindered by the pro-Syrian security chiefs and as the Security Council was preparing to meet over the issue in New York.

Speculation is rife that that the UN is set to draft a fresh resolution, at the behest of France and the U.S., establishing a international probe into Hariri's murder after the Lebanese government agreed to an external investigation earlier this week.

But a UN spokesperson said that no resolution was scheduled to come out of the Security Council meeting which was taking place as The Daily Star went to press last night.

Lebanon's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Hammoud had gathered the ambassadors of the Security Council's member-states to reiterate the Lebanese government's willingness to allow an international investigation into Hariri's murder.

After a visit to Hammoud, US Assistant Under Secretary of State for the Near East, David Satterfield, warned against what he called "meddling with Lebanon's security."

Satterfield, who was speaking against the backdrop of a spate of explosions that have recently targeted the country said: "Those who are threatening the security of Lebanon should not think that they will succeed in frightening the people of Lebanon.'

Satterfield added that he encouraged Hammoud to provide the UN investigative commission with the necessary backing to uncover the truth behind Hariri's killing.

Satterfield said a U.S. Congress delegation arrived to Beirut Tuesday and will be meeting with top officials here to discuss "Hizbullah, the Shebaa Farms and other issues related to Lebanon."

By Nayla Assaf
Daily Star, Lebanon