Nawaf Salam Appointed Lebanon's Prime Minister

Nawaf Salam, a judge at the International Court of Justice, has been named Lebanon's new prime minister after securing majority support from lawmakers, with reports indicating he received votes from 84 to 85 of the 128 parliament members. His appointment marks a significant shift in Lebanon's political landscape, especially following the recent election of President Joseph Aoun, who is seen as less favorable to Hezbollah, which had backed the incumbent Najib Mikati. Salam's support came from various political factions, including Christian and Druze groups, while Hezbollah and its Shi'ite ally Amal Movement have chosen not to participate in his government. The political complexities in Lebanon, governed by a sectarian power-sharing system, dictate that the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, while the presidency is held by a Maronite Christian. Salam's rise is viewed as a setback for Hezbollah, indicating a broader change in the balance of power within the country. The new government formation comes at a critical time for Lebanon, which has been grappling with a severe economic crisis.