The International Court of Justice's top judge, Nawaf Salam, has been chosen as Lebanon's next prime minister, bringing a surprising twist to the country's political landscape. This decision comes after newly elected President Joseph Aoun requested Salam to form a government, following his endorsement by a majority of lawmakers during consultations.
This development marks the end of a prolonged political stalemate in Lebanon, which had been grappling with a presidential vacuum and a caretaker cabinet for over two years. The consultations for the prime minister's position were initiated after Aoun's recent election in parliament, which was supported by Saudi Arabia.
Salam, known for his reformist views, is a Sunni Muslim, the only sect eligible for the prime ministerial role in Lebanon. He had previously been a candidate for the position on two occasions. His international profile rose last year when he was elected as the head of the ICJ, overseeing significant cases such as South Africa's accusations against Israel.
Described by some media outlets as a 'tsunami,' Salam emerged as a candidate on Sunday, surprising many who had expected incumbent caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to be the frontrunner. Salam's designation has been met with resistance from Hezbollah and its allies Amal, the Shia duo, who reportedly favored Mikati.
Hezbollah's parliamentary bloc leader, Mohammad Raad, expressed concerns about the appointment, citing potential divisions in the country. He emphasized the importance of respecting Lebanon's confessional power-sharing agreement, which mandates representation from all major sects in the cabinet.
Notably, no Shia lawmakers supported Salam's designation, setting the stage for potential challenges as he works towards forming a new government in the coming weeks.
