Lebanon’s top judge, Nawaf Salam, has been named the country’s new prime minister after a surprise move by President Joseph Aoun. The appointment marks the end of a two-year stalemate and brings an end to the caretaker cabinet.
Salam, a Sunni Muslim, is seen as a reformist and was endorsed by a majority of lawmakers during consultations with Aoun. He had previously been a candidate for the premiership twice before. His designation has sparked controversy, particularly among Shia politicians, who were expected to back Najib Mikati, the current caretaker prime minister.
The move is also seen as a blow to Hezbollah and its allies, who are believed to have supported Mikati. The Sunni Muslim-dominated cabinet would be a departure from the traditional sectarian power-sharing system in Lebanon, where Muslims from both Sunni and Shia sects as well as Christians must all be represented.
However, Salam’s appointment has raised concerns about his ability to form a government without the support of Shia lawmakers, who have not endorsed him. This could put him on a collision course with these groups, which must be included in the cabinet under Lebanon’s sectarian laws.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/13/middleeast/icj-judge-nawaf-salam-lebanon-prime-minister-intl/index.html