Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam Announces New Government

On Saturday, February 8, Lebanon’s prime minister announced the formation of a new government, as confirmed by the presidency. This marks the end of a two-year period of governance by interim authorities, following the decline of Hezbollah’s long-standing dominance.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam expressed his desire to lead a “government of reform and salvation,” vowing to restore trust with the global community following the destructive conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as years of economic decline caused by corruption and poor management.
His administration is now tasked with the difficult challenge of carrying out necessary reforms to secure financial support from international donors, managing the delicate Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, and rebuilding the nation.
President Joseph Aoun issued a decree “to establish a 24-member government,” according to a statement from the presidency on X. The decree also revealed two additional decisions: the newly appointed president “accepted the resignation of caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati’s government” and officially tasked “Prime Minister Nawaf Salam with forming the new government.”
Lebanon’s upcoming government will feature five women, along with prominent figures such as Ghassan Salame, the former United Nations envoy to Libya.
For a long time, Hezbollah was the dominant force in Lebanese politics, but it faced devastating losses in a war with Israel, including the death of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in a major airstrike in September. The group suffered another major setback on December 8 with the removal of Bashar al-Assad from power in Syria, which had long served as Hezbollah’s vital supply line for weapons from Iran.
After over two years of political deadlock, Hezbollah’s weakened position allowed former army chief Aoun, believed to be Washington’s favoured candidate, to be elected president, with Salam confirmed as his prime minister.
Lebanon had been without a president for more than two years due to the political impasse until Aoun’s election. Nawaf managed to form a government in less than a month, a rare achievement in a country where such processes typically take months of complex political negotiations.
The United Nations has expressed support for the formation of Lebanon’s new government. Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon, stated that “today’s government formation signals the beginning of a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon.” Prime Minister Salam has emphasized that his cabinet will exclude members of political parties and anyone planning to run in the upcoming parliamentary elections. He appointed ministers after consulting with various leaders in a country where power is traditionally divided along sectarian lines.
Before the new government can fully assume its role, it must draft a ministerial statement and submit it for a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days. Lebanon’s 128-seat parliament is largely dominated by sectarian parties, and the new government will need to address key agreements, including those with the International Monetary Fund, as well as prepare for the parliamentary elections set for next year.
For Lebanon, it would be in its best interest to consider independence from the influence of the United Nations. By stepping away from external oversight, Lebanon could better assert its sovereignty, control its political processes, and develop policies that reflect its own national interests without outside interference. This would foster a more self-reliant government that can address internal challenges, such as sectarian divides and economic reform, without external pressure shaping its decisions.