Newly Appointed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam Forms Government in Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has accepted the resignation of the caretaker government and signed a decree with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to establish Lebanon’s first full-fledged government since 2022.

Key Highlights of the New Government

• 24-member cabinet, evenly split between Christian and Muslim sects, formed within a month of Salam’s appointment.
• Government aims to rebuild southern Lebanon following the war between Israel and Hezbollah, which ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire in November.
• Lebanon remains in a deep economic crisis, with failing banks, a collapsed electricity sector, and widespread poverty.

Salam’s Vision for Lebanon

• A diplomat and former president of the International Court of Justice, Salam has pledged to:
  • Reform Lebanon’s judiciary and economy.
  • Strengthen national security.
  • Restore stability amid ongoing political and economic turmoil.

Political Landscape and Hezbollah’s Role

• Hezbollah did not endorse Salam but engaged in negotiations over Shiite Muslim seats in the government.
• The new leadership marks a shift away from Hezbollah-backed figures, signaling Lebanon’s effort to strengthen ties with Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations.
• President Aoun has echoed similar views, advocating for the state’s monopoly on carrying weapons, an indirect reference to Hezbollah’s armed influence.