Lebanese President, Joseph Aoun, on Monday named Nawaf Salam, a judge and diplomat currently serving as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), to form a new government.
During parliamentary consultations led by Aoun, Salam, 71, secured the support of 84 MPs, compared to nine votes for caretaker Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, while 35 abstained from naming a candidate.
Salam emerged as a consensus candidate to break the political deadlock, bolstered by MP Fouad Makhzoumi’s decision to withdraw his candidacy in favour of Salam.
Makhzoumi cited the need to unite the opposition and independents amid a heated rivalry between opposition factions and the Hezbollah-led bloc.
Background and political legacy
Born in Beirut on 15 December, 1953, Salam hails from a prominent political family. His father, Abdullah Salam, was a co-founder of Middle East Airlines, Lebanon’s national carrier, and served on its board from 1956 to 1983.
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His grandfather, Salim Ali Salam, was a Mayor of the capital, Beirut, and a member of the Ottoman Parliament in Istanbul before the foundation of the Republic of Turkiye. Salam’s uncle, Saeb Salam, served as Lebanon’s prime minister four times, while his cousin, Tammam Salam, held the post once.
Education and career
Salam earned a doctorate in political science from the Institute of Political Studies in Paris in 1992. He also holds a master’s degree in law from Harvard Law School and a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne.
He is married to Sahar Baassiri, a journalist and Lebanon’s ambassador to UNESCO, and they have two sons, Abdullah and Marwan.
Salam has served as ICJ President since February 2024, following his election to a three-year term. He has been a member of the ICJ since 6 February, 2018, and has held several legal positions within the UN.
Previously, he served as Lebanon’s ambassador to the UN in New York from July 2007 to December 2017. During Lebanon’s non-permanent membership on the UN Security Council in 2010–2011, Salam represented the country and chaired the Council during its rotational presidency.
Additionally, he was vice president of the UN General Assembly’s 67th session and acting president from September 2012 to September 2013. In 2016, Salam was appointed Lebanon’s representative to the UN Economic and Social Council.
He is also an author, with works including Lebanon in the Security Council 2010–2011, Options for Lebanon, and Taif’s Dysfunctions and the Need for Constitutional Reform.
Reform advocate
Salam’s name has been floated for the premiership before, including in 2019, though Hezbollah and its allies opposed him at the time. He gained significant support during the 2022 parliamentary consultations, but fell short of securing enough votes.
This time, however, the opposition, particularly the independents and reformist MPs, coalesced around his candidacy. These two blocs, often seen as a kingmaker in parliamentary decisions, played a decisive role.
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Known for his calls for reform and emphasis on Lebanese sovereignty, Salam advocates limiting weapons to state security forces and military institutions. His international and regional connections are viewed as assets in addressing Lebanon’s severe economic and political crises.
Challenges and prospects
Lebanon’s deep political divides, particularly among factions like Hezbollah, the Amal Movement and their rivals, have historically delayed government formation for months. However, recent regional shifts and diminished influence of traditional political actors could accelerate the process.
In line with Lebanon’s sectarian political system, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, the president a Maronite Christian and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim.
Salam is set to lead the first government under President Joseph Aoun, who was elected last Thursday after over two years of presidential vacancy caused by political disputes. Aoun secured 99 votes in the 128-member parliament.
His election follows a devastating two-month Israeli military campaign last fall which left Lebanon grappling with worsening political divisions and economic hardships.
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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.