Nawaf Salam forma nuevo gobierno en el Líbano

The President Joseph Aoun accepted the resignation of the previous interim government and signed a decree with the new Prime Minister to form the new government. Nawaf Salam, the new Prime Minister of Lebanon, formed the country’s first complete government on Saturday in 2022. President Joseph Aoun announced that he accepted the resignation of the interim government and signed a decree with Salam to form the new cabinet.

Salam’s cabinet, composed of 24 ministers equally distributed among Christian and Muslim sects, was formed less than a month after his appointment. This new government comes at a critical time for Lebanon as it strives to rebuild its devastated southern region and maintain security on its southern border following the war with Israel and the militant group Hezbollah. The ceasefire agreement mediated by the United States ended the conflict in November.

The country continues to grapple with a severe economic crisis that has lasted six years, severely impacting banks, destroying the state electricity sector, and plunging many people into poverty, leaving them without access to their savings. Salam, a diplomat and former President of the International Court of Justice, has promised to reform Lebanon’s judicial system and economy, as well as restore stability to a country that has faced several economic, political, and security crises over the decades.

While Hezbollah did not support Salam as Prime Minister, the Lebanese group participated in negotiations with the new government regarding Shiite Muslim seats, according to the country’s power-sharing system. The formation of the new government also signals a return to leaders less affiliated with Hezbollah as Beirut seeks to improve its relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations concerned about Hezbollah’s political and military power over the past decade.

In January, President Aoun, a former army general, was elected as the country’s president, filling the void in the position. He was not a candidate supported by Hezbollah or its key allies. Aoun shares similar ideas with Salam about strengthening the rule of law to «monopolize the use of weapons,» a clear reference to Hezbollah’s arms.

FUENTE