an international judge, Nawaf Salam, appointed Prime Minister

This 71-year-old veteran diplomat was until now president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

A magistrate at the head of the government. An international judge, Nawaf Salam, became the new Prime Minister of Lebanon on Monday January 13, responsible for meeting major challenges in a country in crisis, after his appointment by President Joseph Aoun following parliamentary consultations. This 71-year-old veteran diplomat was until now president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague. His appointment was welcomed Monday evening by Emmanuel Macron, who declared: “There is hope for change in Lebanon.”

Nawaf Salam's candidacy was mainly supported by political forces opposed to the pro-Iranian Shiite movement Hezbollah, which emerged very weakened from its last war against Israel. This magistrate is seen as an impartial intellectual, outside the traditional political class.

Under the sharing of power between religious communities in Lebanon, the President of the Republic is a Maronite Christian, the Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim and the President of the Parliament is a Shiite Muslim. In accordance with the Constitution, the president receives representatives of all parliamentary groups as well as independent elected officials. In practice, he always designates as Prime Minister, at the end of these consultations, the candidate who is supported by the greatest number of deputies.