The Lebanese Army urged the media on Thursday to cease publishing the names of potential candidates for the position of commander-in-chief.

"The army command calls on the media concerned to no longer circulate names or information related to the military institution and its officers, as this leads to the dissemination of the names and photos of the officers in question on social networks, with all the accompanying comments," the statement said.

The position of army commander-in-chief has been vacant since Joseph Aoun, the previous army commander, assumed the presidency on Jan. 9. With a new appointment imminent, media outlets have been speculating about potential successors.