The selection of a new prime minister served as the first litmus test for Lebanon’s recently elected president, Joseph Aoun. The critical question revolved around whether Aoun would reciprocate the support of the Hezbollah bloc by appointing their preferred candidate, or if he would demonstrate a commitment to dismantling the terrorist organization’s influence within the Lebanese state. Many feared the former, given that Aoun’s presidential victory, achieved on the thirteenth attempt, was largely attributed to the backing of Hezbollah and its allied Amal party. These two Shia Muslim parties had openly championed the continuation of Najib Mikati, the interim prime minister.
However, in a surprising turn of events, a new contender emerged: 71-year-old Nawaf Salam. While his name had been previously circulated, he had never before held a realistic chance. Within a day, Salam secured an overwhelming majority of 84 out of 128 parliamentary votes, leaving Mikati with a mere nine. President Aoun subsequently formalized Salam’s appointment, a decision met with open displeasure by Hezbollah, whose parliamentarian Mohammed Raad described it as a rebuffed peace offering. This outcome signaled a significant shift in the political landscape, suggesting a weakening of Hezbollah’s influence following the war with Israel and the decline of the Assad regime in Syria. It also strongly indicated Aoun’s genuine intention to restrict the legitimate use of arms within Lebanon solely to the national army.
This development sparked renewed hope for many Lebanese citizens who had participated in the massive 2019 demonstrations demanding systemic political change. They yearned for a Lebanon free from the grip of warlords and corrupt politicians who exploited the nation for personal gain. The selection of Salam represented a tangible victory for this protest movement, offering a glimmer of hope for genuine reform. It suggested the possibility of a president committed to uniting all factions within Lebanon and challenging Hezbollah’s authority, which had effectively operated as a state within a state, often wielding more power than the national defense forces.
Nawaf Salam, whose very name translates to ”peace” in Arabic, brought to the premiership a distinct background. Most recently serving as the president of the International Court of Justice, where he spearheaded a genocide case against Israel, Salam stood apart from the established political elite that had long dominated Lebanon, despite his family’s prominent historical influence dating back to the Ottoman era. He was widely perceived as a pragmatic leader with a vision for rebuilding the nation from the ground up, rather than a self-serving politician seeking personal enrichment. This contrasted sharply with the established political class, whose reputation for corruption and self-enrichment had fueled widespread public discontent.
Salam’s appointment, however, was not without its challenges. Integrating Hezbollah’s supporters into a state where the organization’s influence was curtailed would be crucial. Many of these individuals harbored anxieties about their future in a post-Hezbollah Lebanon, and addressing these concerns would be paramount to maintaining national stability. The immediate task ahead was the formation of a new government, a formidable undertaking given the complex political dynamics.
Despite the formidable obstacles, the unexpected success in selecting a president after numerous failed attempts fostered a sense of cautious optimism. While the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, the mere fact that Lebanon had reached this milestone was a cause for celebration. It signified a potential turning point in the nation’s history, offering a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future, even as significant challenges lay ahead in navigating the complex political landscape and implementing meaningful reforms. The selection of Salam represented not a final victory, but the first step towards a long and arduous journey of national rebuilding.
