Big news from Lebanon! 🇱🇧 President Joseph Aoun has appointed Nawaf Salam as the new Prime Minister, setting the stage for a fresh government formation. Salam, currently leading the International Court of Justice in The Hague, secured 84 out of 128 parliamentary votes in the binding consultations.
Heads up: Nawaf Salam is currently abroad but is expected to return on Tuesday 🔜 to officially take on his new role. This appointment follows Lebanon's longstanding tradition where the Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim, maintaining the balance with the president being a Maronite Christian and the parliamentary speaker a Shiite Muslim.
Salam isn't new to the political scene. Born in 1953 into a well-known political family, his uncle Saeb Salam and cousin Tammam Salam have both served as Prime Minister in the past. With impressive credentials including a master's in law from Harvard and two doctorates from Sorbonne University, Nawaf brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. His stint as Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN from 2007 to 2017 also highlights his diplomatic skills.
Why now? Lebanon is emerging from a 14-month conflict involving Israel and Hezbollah. Beyond rebuilding, the country is grappling with serious economic issues 💸. Salam's leadership is crucial as Lebanon navigates these challenging times, aiming for stability and growth.
