The new chief of the Lebanese army, Jean Kahwaji, has been promoted to general in a ceremony attended by his predecessor, President Michel Suleiman.
Gen Kahwaji was appointed to the post at a meeting of the national unity government on Friday evening.
The 54-year-old Maronite Christian had been a brigade commander since 2002.
Many Lebanese regard the army as one of the country's few neutral institutions, and say it plays an important role in preventing sectarian conflict.
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On Thursday, an army helicopter was shot down whilst flying over an area of south Lebanon where Hezbollah is known to have a presence.
The Shia Islamist movement described the incident as "tragic", but did not confirm reports that the attackers were its members.
(BBC)
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