Lebanon’s new prime minister has been named as ICJ president Nawaf Salam. Two-thirds of parliament’s 128 members nominated him, despite opposition from Hezbollah, which had backed caretaker PM Najib Mikati but ultimately chose no candidate.
Salam will return to Lebanon on Tuesday after being appointed by President Joseph Aoun during consultations with lawmakers. His appointment has weakened Hezbollah, which was seeking reappointment for Mikati. Senior Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammed Raad accused the opposition of working for fragmentation and exclusion.
However, Christian allies of Hezbollah supported Salam, calling him a “face of reform”. Sunni lawmaker Faisal Karami nominated him due to demands for change and renewal as well as promises of international support for Lebanon.
Salam has experience in politics, having served as Lebanon’s permanent representative to the UN from 2007-2017. He became an ICJ member in 2018 and was elected president last February. As prime minister, he must agree a cabinet line-up that can win a confidence vote in parliament.
President Aoun won the presidential election with support from key parties, including the US, France, and Saudi Arabia. His victory marked a new phase in Lebanon’s history, with vows to push through reforms and ensure the Lebanese state has the right to bear arms. The country faces multiple crises, including an economic depression and a devastating port explosion.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2eg7ge72j2o