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Nawaf Salam becomes Lebanon's new prime minister
Top International Court of Justice judge Nawaf Salam has been unexpectedly named Lebanon's next prime minister, marking the end of a long political deadlock.
Nawaf Salam becomes Lebanon's new prime minister
The chief justice of the International Court of Justice, Nawaf Salam, was surprisingly named as the new prime minister of crisis-stricken Lebanon. This happened on Monday when the office of newly elected President Joseph Aoun asked Salam to form a government. Salam received the support of a wide majority of MPs during consultations with Aoun.
Political developments in Lebanon
Aoun's election and Salam's appointment mark the end of more than two years of political stalemate, marked by a presidential vacuum and a government that operated only in an interim capacity. Talks about the next prime minister were triggered by Aoun's election in parliament on Thursday, which came largely due to strong pressure from Saudi Arabia.
Nawaf Salam: A reformist with international reputation
Salam is generally viewed as a reformist. He is a Sunni Muslim - the only denomination allowed to hold the office of prime minister - and has been discussed as a candidate for the ministerial office twice in recent years. The judge rose to international prominence last year when he was elected president of the International Court of Justice and presided over a lawsuit by South Africa against Israel for genocide and other jurisdictions.
Strong reactions and expectations
Some media described Salam’s appointment as a “tsunami.” He introduced himself as a candidate on Sunday morning, according to local media reports. Previously, acting Prime Minister Najib Mikati was widely seen as the most likely contender for the post.
Political tensions and challenges
Salam's appointment represents a setback for Hezbollah and its Amal allies, known as the Shiite duo and seen as supporters of Mikati. Hezbollah parliamentary faction leader Mohammad Raad told reporters that Salam's appointment was causing "division" in the country and hoped the Cabinet would respect the country's sectarian power-sharing arrangements. Unofficially, all of Lebanon's major denominations - Sunnis, Shiites and Christians - must be represented in the cabinet.
Challenge in forming a government
The fact that no Shiite lawmaker has supported Salam, the prime minister-designate, could lead to a potential confrontation as he tries to form a government in the next few weeks.