Nawaf Salam

Government Formation Stalled Over Shiite Representation

The government formation appeared imminent on Thursday amid a flurry of visitors to Baabda’s Presidential Palace. Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam visited Baabda, where he met with President Joseph Aoun. Shortly after, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri joined them for a trilateral meeting. Meanwhile, government secretary-general Mahmoud ...

Government Formation: Berri Blocks Progress

The trilateral meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam concluded this Thursday afternoon after an hour and a half of discussions. According to MTV, Berri's insistence on appointing a fifth Shiite minister hindered the government formation process. Diplomatic sources ...

Nawaf Salam Commits to Building a Reform Government Devoid of Internal Gridlock

Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam vowed on Wednesday to form a reformist government that will operate without internal gridlock, pledging transparency and unity as Lebanon faces pressing national challenges. Speaking at a press conference at Baabda Palace following his meeting with President General Joseph Aoun, Salam outlined his strategy for ...

To What Extent Does Nawaf Salam Adopt a Common Criteria?

A quick assessment of the current situation shows that among the majority of MPs who nominated Nawaf Salam to form the new government, only a few remain satisfied with the prime minister-designate’s performance. So far, Salam has managed to infuriate most of those who were on his side, while satisfying his opponents, particularly Amal and ...

Government Lineup Nears Completion Amid Political Tensions and External Pressure

After 22 days of intense negotiations, Judge Nawaf Salam’s efforts to form Lebanon’s new government, following his designation on January 13, are entering their final stages. Despite political challenges and conflicting demands from various factions, the announcement of the first government under General Joseph Aoun’s reformist mandate is ...

Salam: Government Formation Imminent Despite Obstacles

Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam assured on Wednesday that “a new Lebanese government will be formed soon.” Following a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, Salam told reporters that while obstacles remain, they “will soon be overcome.” He stressed his commitment to a flexible approach in negotiations, stating that the new government ...

US Lawmakers Urge Lebanese Leaders to 'End Hezbollah’s Influence'

In an open letter sent on Tuesday, US lawmakers Darin LaHood and Darrell Issa, co-chairs of the US-Lebanon Friendship Caucus in the House of Representatives, urged Lebanese leaders to end Hezbollah’s influence on the country’s political and security landscape. The letter, addressed to President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister-designate Nawaf ...

Is a Fait Accompli Government on the Horizon?

Will Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam and President Joseph Aoun succeed in forming a government that aligns with their expectations and meets the needs of the Lebanese people, all while resisting political pressures, particularly from Amal and Hezbollah? Although this outcome cannot entirely be ruled out, there are warnings against its ...

A New Triptych of Reforms in Sight

The Lebanese people are eagerly awaiting the formation of the first ministerial team of President Joseph Aoun’s mandate. As French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized during his recent visit to Beirut, the government’s composition must reflect “the momentum set by President Aoun in his inaugural address on January 9.” In other words, ...

Salam: ‘The Finance Ministry Is Not a Monopoly’

Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam emphasized on Tuesday that the Finance Ministry is “neither a monopoly for one sect nor forbidden to another,” asserting the need to uphold constitutional principles in the government formation process. Speaking to reporters after briefing President Joseph Aoun on his discussions with parliamentarians, he ...

Guterres Urges Reforms, Reaffirms International Support for Lebanon

During his visit to Baabda Palace on Saturday morning, UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated, "We can establish a general framework to guarantee the protection of Lebanese territory and the peace process," emphasizing the importance of "the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the full deployment of the Lebanese ...