Nawaf Salam selected as PM for Lebanon

2025-01-13T142319Z_1298906553_RC2QR7A2W1Z8_RTRMADP_3_LEBANON-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on January 13th selected Judge Nawaf Salam as the country’s new prime minister after consultations with lawmakers, according to The New Arab and agencies.

Salam serves as a presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Lebanese media reported that he received backing from 68 members of parliament.

“The president of the republic called on Judge Nawaf Salam to task him with forming a government, knowing that he is currently abroad. It has been decided he will return tomorrow,” the presidency said. Salam’s support includes lawmakers from the Kataeb and Free Patriotic Movement parties and independent MPs.

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The nomination comes as Lebanon grapples with an unprecedented economic crisis and the aftermath of the Israel-Hezbollah war that ended on November 27th. Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who received only nine votes, had been the preferred choice of Hezbollah and its allies. A Hezbollah source revealed that the group delayed their arrival after sensing momentum building for Salam.

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Independent MPs supporting Salam described his nomination as a move towards reform and accountability. “Today there are two options in the country: a serious reform option, called Nawaf Salam, and an option that takes us back, called Najib Mikati,” Lebanese university professor Ali Mrad said

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Under Lebanon’s power-sharing system, the president must nominate the candidate with the most parliamentary support. However, forming a new government imminently remains uncertain, as deep political divisions have previously delayed the process for months.

The person leading the country’s new government faces the monumental task of implementing reforms to unlock international aid and overseeing reconstruction efforts following the war. They will also have to navigate the contentious issue of Hezbollah’s disarmament as part of the November 27th ceasefire agreement.

The New Arab and agencies

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