Lebanon Appoints ICJ Chief Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister, Signaling Power Shift

[Social Media]

 

In a significant political shift, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun appointed Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as the new prime minister. This move underscores a transformation in the country's sectarian power dynamics, especially in light of Hezbollah's diminished influence following its military losses against Israel and the fall of its Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad.

 

Salam, currently abroad, was backed by 84 of Lebanon's 128 lawmakers, with President Aoun summoning him to form the government upon his return. This decision marks a blow to Hezbollah, as many lawmakers, including Christian and Druze factions, and key Sunni Muslim MPs, even some allied with Hezbollah, supported Salam.

 

Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally, the Amal Movement, refrained from endorsing any candidate, signaling their reluctance to join Salam's administration. Senior Hezbollah figure Mohammed Raad criticized the move, accusing opponents of fragmentation and exclusion. He lamented that despite Hezbollah's cooperation in electing Aoun as president, their efforts were met with betrayal.

 

The appointment of Salam, following Aoun’s election, represents a shift in Lebanon's political landscape, traditionally dominated by Hezbollah. This change is also influenced by Aoun's strong ties with the United States and Saudi Arabia. Lebanon’s power-sharing system requires the prime minister to be Sunni, the president a Maronite Christian, and the speaker of parliament a Shi'ite Muslim.

 

Aoun, after consultations with parliament, had to select the candidate with the most votes. Hezbollah's lawmakers delayed their meeting with Aoun, possibly as they saw Salam's momentum. Hezbollah expected Najib Mikati’s reappointment as part of a prior understanding, but the swift backing for Salam altered those plans.

 

The new administration faces enormous challenges, including rebuilding war-torn areas, implementing long-overdue reforms to rejuvenate Lebanon's economy, and addressing the financial system's collapse in 2019. Aoun, as a former army commander, played a crucial role in the US-mediated ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, which mandated the Lebanese army's deployment in southern Lebanon as both sides withdrew.

 

Raad indicated Hezbollah would watch Salam's government’s actions closely, emphasizing a calm approach for the national interest. The backdrop of this political upheaval is the conflict that erupted after Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, which saw Hezbollah escalating attacks on Israeli borders, prompting a robust response from Israel.

 

The conflict led to significant casualties, with Israel decimating Hezbollah's leadership. The IDF reported around 3,500 Hezbollah operatives killed, alongside casualties from other groups and civilians in Lebanon. This conflict and Hezbollah's weakened state have reshaped Lebanon's political arena, paving the way for figures like Salam to emerge in leadership roles.

 

Based on a report by AFP | TOI 2024-01-15