Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has appointed Nawaf Salam, president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, as the country’s new prime minister. The announcement came on Monday following the conclusion of binding parliamentary consultations.
Salam secured 84 out of 128 parliamentary votes during consultations conducted by President Aoun, demonstrating significant support for his leadership amid Lebanon’s ongoing recovery efforts. Although President Aoun officially summoned Salam to accept the position, Salam is currently abroad and is expected to return to Lebanon on Tuesday.
Born into a prominent political family in 1953, Salam is a Sunni Muslim, aligning with Lebanon’s tradition of appointing a Sunni Muslim to the prime ministership. His uncle, Saeb Salam, served multiple terms as prime minister before the civil war from 1975 to 1990, and his cousin, Tammam Salam, held the same office from 2014 to 2016.
Salam brings a wealth of experience to the role, holding a master’s degree in law from Harvard University and doctorates in history and political science from the Sorbonne University. His diplomatic credentials include serving as Lebanon’s ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017.
His appointment comes at a critical juncture as Lebanon emerges from a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The nation faces the daunting tasks of post-conflict reconstruction and addressing deep economic woes that have significantly impacted the populace.
Under Lebanon’s confessional political system, the prime minister’s post is reserved for a Sunni Muslim, the presidency for a Maronite Christian, and the parliamentary speaker for a Shiite Muslim. Salam’s appointment adheres to this tradition and is seen by many as a step towards stabilizing the nation’s political landscape.
As Lebanon prepares to tackle its pressing challenges, Salam’s leadership is anticipated to play a pivotal role in steering the country towards recovery and prosperity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
