A majority of Lebanese lawmakers on Monday designated Nawaf Salam, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as Lebanon’s next prime minister. This pivotal decision follows the recent election of army commander General Joseph Aoun as president, marking a significant political shift in the country.
The appointment of Salam, a respected jurist and former diplomat, comes after years of political stalemate. For years, Hezbollah, the Iran-backed political and military group, had blocked Salam’s nomination to head the government. This recent development, however, underscores Hezbollah’s waning influence, particularly following its recent setbacks.
A changing political landscape
UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the nomination as a positive step for Lebanon. “It’s another sign of the encouraging political trajectory we’ve seen over the past few days,” said Stéphane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson. Salam’s appointment comes days after a 26-month presidential vacuum ended with the election of General Joseph Aoun, a U.S. and Saudi-backed figure.
Lebanon’s sectarian-based political system stipulates that the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. This balance is central to maintaining order in the deeply diverse nation.
Hezbollah, which has dominated Lebanon’s political scene for years, faces a weakened position after recent Israeli military campaigns targeting its leadership and capabilities. The group’s influence has been further diminished by international pressure and calls for reform within Lebanon.
Lebanon at a crossroads
Nawaf Salam’s challenges as prime minister will be daunting. He inherits a nation battered by economic collapse, political corruption, and the aftermath of a destructive conflict with Israel. Southern Lebanon and Shiite-majority areas around Beirut have been left in ruins following Israel’s intense bombing campaign. Tens of thousands of residents are homeless, and reconstruction is critical.
However, unlike after the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war, when Hezbollah financed rebuilding efforts, the group’s current financial struggles mean Salam must seek international support. Western nations and Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, have expressed willingness to aid Lebanon, but such support is contingent on the implementation of political and economic reforms.
Economic turmoil
Lebanon has been mired in an economic crisis since 2019, one of the worst in over a century. The Lebanese lira has lost more than 90% of its value, wiping out life savings for millions of citizens. The country’s banking sector remains paralysed, and widespread poverty has exacerbated public frustration.
Salam, a 71-year-old academic and former diplomat, is widely regarded as a technocrat rather than a career politician, a distinction that resonates with citizens demanding an end to decades of corruption and mismanagement. He holds degrees in political science, history, and law from prestigious institutions in Lebanon, France, and the United States.
As Lebanon’s ambassador to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017, Salam gained international respect, particularly during a two-year term on the UN Security Council. He was elected as a judge on the ICJ in 2018 and became the court’s president last year.
International attention
The international community has shown heightened interest in Lebanon’s stability. The UN Security Council met on Monday to discuss the country’s fragile ceasefire with Israel, brokered in November, which expires on 26 January. UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert emphasised the urgency of maintaining peace.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is scheduled to visit Lebanon later this week to meet with political leaders, inspect reconstruction efforts, and visit UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.
A new chapter
The combination of Salam’s technocratic leadership and Aoun’s presidency is seen by many as a fresh start for Lebanon. Both figures are outside the traditional political class widely blamed for the country’s crises. Salam’s ability to unite Lebanon’s fractured political factions and secure international aid will determine whether his tenure marks a turning point or yet another chapter of instability.
As Salam prepares to return to Beirut on Tuesday, many Lebanese are cautiously optimistic. “My voice is for Nawaf Salam because my voice is for Lebanon and no one else,” said independent legislator Paula Yacoubian, reflecting the sentiment of many hopeful citizens.
Lebanon’s future remains uncertain, but the emergence of a new government offers a glimmer of hope for a nation desperate for stability and renewal.