BEIRUT — The newly elected president of Lebanon has tasked the distinguished diplomat and legal expert, Nawaf Salam, with forming the nation’s next government. This decision emerged after Salam garnered significant support from a substantial number of parliamentarians on Monday. However, the announcement has seemingly displeased the Hezbollah group and its allies.
Currently functioning as the head of the International Court of Justice, Salam’s nomination was championed by groups aligned with Western interests as well as independents within the Lebanese parliament. He enjoys backing from Saudi Arabia and various Western nations, while Hezbollah representatives refrained from endorsing any candidate for the prime ministerial role.
Many view Salam’s candidacy as a beacon of hope following the devastating 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which resulted in the loss of 4,000 lives and left over 16,000 injured, causing economic destruction in the hundreds of millions of dollars. The war concluded in late November with a U.S.-mediated truce lasting 60 days.
Upon Salam’s majority support in parliament, celebrations erupted in the streets of Beirut, featuring fireworks. There are rising expectations that his appointment, alongside last week’s election of army chief Gen. Joseph Aoun as president, might facilitate the influx of billions in foreign investments and loans.
Salam faces a daunting challenge ahead as he seeks to navigate the aftermath of the truce with Israel, which resulted in considerable devastation throughout the Mediterranean nation, alongside the weakening of Iranian-backed Hezbollah. Additionally, he must address Lebanon’s unprecedented five-year economic crisis.
Hezbollah has obstructed Salam’s previous endeavors to assume the prime minister’s role, labeling him as a candidate favored by the United States. Mohammed Raad, the leader of Hezbollah’s parliamentary faction, stated that the party would assess actions surrounding the evictions of occupiers, the return of prisoners, reconstruction endeavors, and the execution of the U.N. Security Council resolution that concluded the conflict.
Raad remarked on the extended hand from Hezbollah during Aoun’s election last week, expressing disappointment that the gesture was not reciprocated. The election of Aoun as president, followed by Salam’s nomination, is expected to enable a resurgence of financial assistance from Western nations and wealthy Arab states aimed at rebuilding Lebanon. This support could be crucial, given that numerous Lebanese have lost their savings amidst the banking sector’s turmoil during the ongoing economic collapse.
Neither Aoun nor Salam are seen as part of the entrenched political elite accused of fostering widespread corruption and mismanagement that led to one of the world’s most severe economic downturns since the crisis erupted in October 2019.
For over two years, Lebanon has been under a caretaker government, and Aoun’s election marked the end of a 26-month void in the presidential office. Following consultations with legislators, Salam received approval from 84 deputies, while outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati was supported by merely nine. Meanwhile, 34 legislators abstained from casting votes.
In the wake of Salam’s confirmation, Mikati reached out to congratulate him and extend best wishes for his new responsibilities.
Antoine Shoukeir, the director general of the presidency, informed the media that Salam is now the prime minister-designate, with indications that he would return to Lebanon shortly. A meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at the presidential palace in Baabda, bringing Aoun, Salam, and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri together, where subsequent steps towards forming a new Cabinet will be discussed.
It remains uncertain whether Salam intends to resign from his position at the ICJ. Independent legislator Paula Yacoubian voiced her endorsement for Salam, emphasizing her commitment to Lebanon above all.
At 71 years old, Salam hails from a well-known Sunni Muslim family in Beirut. His late uncle, Saeb Salam, was notable for his roles in Lebanon’s struggle for independence from French rule and had multiple terms as prime minister. Salam’s cousin Tammam also served a term as prime minister beginning in 2014.
With advanced degrees in political science from Sciences Po and history from Sorbonne University, along with a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School, Salam has extensive academic experience, having lectured at institutions like the American University of Beirut.
In 2007, he was appointed Lebanon’s ambassador to the United Nations and remained in that capacity for ten years before being elected to the International Court of Justice in 2018. Last year, he made history by becoming the first Lebanese to serve as the court’s president.
Salam shares his life with journalist Sahar Baasiri, who previously worked as a columnist for the leading Lebanese daily, An-Nahar. Baasiri has served as Lebanon’s ambassador to UNESCO since 2018.
