In a significant political move, President Joseph Aoun has appointed Nawaf Salam as Lebanon's new Prime Minister. Salam, who serves as the president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, was tasked with forming a new government on Monday, according to a statement from the Lebanese presidency.
The appointment came after Salam secured 84 out of 128 parliamentary votes during binding consultations conducted by President Aoun. Currently abroad, Salam is scheduled to return to Lebanon on Tuesday to officially assume his new role.
Lebanon's political landscape traditionally allocates the prime minister position to a Sunni Muslim, the president role to a Maronite Christian, and the parliamentary speaker to a Shiite Muslim. Salam, born in 1953 into a prominent political family, aligns with this norm as a Sunni Muslim. His uncle, Saeb Salam, served multiple terms as prime minister before the civil war, and his cousin, Tammam Salam, held the position from 2014 to 2016.
Salam boasts an impressive academic background, holding a master's degree in law from Harvard University and two doctorates in history and political science from Sorbonne University. His diplomatic experience includes serving as Lebanon's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017.
His appointment arrives at a critical time as Lebanon emerges from a 14-month conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. The country faces significant challenges, including deep economic woes and the need for extensive post-conflict reconstruction. Salam's leadership is expected to steer Lebanon through these turbulent times and work towards stabilizing the nation's economy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
