RIGA (Reuters) - Latvia's top security body called on Friday for the sacking of the country's army commander for taking part in a controversial reunion of Latvian SS veterans, the Baltic News Service (BNS) said. The meeting, including a parade through central Riga, was condemned in Russia and Israel. The veterans argued that they joined the Nazi fighting units not as fascists, but as patriots to avert any return of Soviet occupation forces. BNS quoted President Guntis Ulmanis as saying the decision to ask for the sacking of army commander Juris Dalbinsh was taken by the national security council, a body which includes the prime minister, foreign minister and president. The council also asked for the dismissal of Latvia's police chief, Aldis Lieljuksis, over the bombing of a synagogue on Thursday. Parliament must approve the dismissal of Dalbinsh while the cabinet can endorse sacking of the police chief. Officials said both requests were likely to be met. Ulmanis earlier this week sharply criticised Dalbinsh and other senior army officers for taking part in the SS reunion. The synagogue bombing, which smashed windows and damaged doors of the building, took place early on Thursday and no-one has yet claimed responsibility. The interior ministry said yesterday that police chief Lieljuksis had been suspended during an investigation into the bombing. He had failed to ensure the security of the synagogue after a swastika had been painted on its walls in December.