Who is Nawaf Salam, the top UN judge appointed as Lebanon’s new prime minister?

Lebanon's new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, has been tasked to form a government to pull the war-scarred country out of economic crisis, after two years of a caretaker government. (AFP)
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Updated 16 January 2025
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Who is Nawaf Salam, the top UN judge appointed as Lebanon’s new prime minister?

  • Nawaf Salam’s appointment as Lebanon’s new prime minister reflects Hezbollah’s declining political influence
  • Broad international backing, including from Saudi Arabia and the EU, raises hope for reform and much-needed funding

DUBAI: From the halls of a top UN courthouse to steering a nation in turmoil, Nawaf Salam has been named as Lebanon’s new prime minister, signaling a shift in the political landscape toward consensus after two years of paralysis.

Salam, 71, a former president of the International Court of Justice at The Hague, arrived in Beirut on Tuesday tasked with forming a new government capable of implementing reforms to pull Lebanon out of the economic mire and spearhead postwar recovery.

He was nominated after securing 84 votes from the 128-member legislature, compared to nine votes for Najib Mikati, the caretaker prime minister, during consultations with parliamentary blocs on Monday led by Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun.




Lebanon's new President Joseph Aoun (C) and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (L) meeting with the new prime minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, on January 14, 2025. (Lebanese presidency handout photo/AFP)

Thirty-four legislators abstained, opting instead for a “non-designation” stance after it became clear Mikati would lose.

Salam’s nomination was another strong indication of an emerging political consensus in Lebanon after last week’s election of army chief Aoun as president ended a two-year power vacuum.

Like Aoun, Salam does not hail from the country’s traditional political class or follow any political bloc.

The outcome was seen as a reflection of a growing momentum behind addressing Lebanon’s chronic governance challenges, restoring hope in the possibility of breaking the nation’s political gridlock amid a deeply divided parliament.




Lebanese people gather at Martyrs' Square in Beirut on January 13, 2025, in support of the nomination of former ICJ judge Nawaf Salam as prime minister of Lebanon. (AFP)

The choice of Salam also underscored the significant shift that has taken place in the balance of power among Lebanon’s sectarian factions in which the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia had long held sway.

Lawmakers from Hezbollah and its Shiite ally, the Amal Movement, failed to rally behind Mikati or delay the consultative process, which could have disrupted Salam’s designation.

In past years, Hezbollah has repeatedly blocked Salam from becoming prime minister, casting him as a US-backed candidate.

His appointment over Mikati, who is backed by the Hezbollah-led alliance, reflected the militia’s declining influence following its recent pummeling by Israel and the toppling of its Syrian regime ally Bashar Assad in December.

Hezbollah and Amal’s decision to abstain, without explicitly naming an alternative candidate, indicated they currently do not intend to participate in Salam’s government.




Hezbollah lawmaker Mohammad Raad speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, on January 13, 2025. (REUTERS)

Salam won the backing of Christian and Druze factions, as well as prominent Sunni MPs, including Hezbollah allies and opponents who have long demanded the militant group give up its powerful arsenal, arguing it has undermined the state.

In a surprising turn, the Lebanese Forces announced their decision to withdraw the nomination of MP Fouad Makhzoumi for prime minister-designate and back Salam instead.

Signaling his satisfaction with the decision, Makhzoumi said: “Having multiple opposition candidates will inevitably lead to everyone losing.”

Salam’s prospects were further strengthened by the withdrawal of MP Ibrahim Mneimneh, who cited the need for consensus to address Lebanon’s many challenges during what he called a “foundational and transitional” phase.

In another unexpected development, Free Patriotic Movement leader Gebran Bassil declared his support for Salam’s nomination as prime minister.




Gebran Bassil, leader of the Christian party Free Patriotic Movement, speaks after meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, on January 13, 2025. (REUTERS)

Sunni MPs, the Kataeb party’s bloc, the Renewal Bloc, Change MPs and several independents initially supportive of Makhzoumi and Mneimneh, shifted their votes to Salam.

Salam’s background in law and diplomacy has bolstered his image as a figure of professionalism and integrity, resonating well with widespread calls for reform.

The prime minister-designate holds a doctorate in political science from France’s prestigious Sciences Po university as well as a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne. He also has a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School.

Salam hails from a prominent Sunni family from Beirut. His late paternal uncle, Saeb Salam, was one of the Lebanese leaders who fought for the country’s independence from France and later served as prime minister four times between 1952 and 1973.




This photo taken on September 28, 2011, shows Nawaf Salam (L), Lebanon's ambassador to the UN, with Riyad Mansour (R), Palestine ambassador to the UN, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on the Palestinian request for full United Nations membership. (AFP file)

His cousin, Tammam Salam, also served as prime minister for two years in 2014-16.

Salam’s father, Abdullah Salim Salam, was the founder of Lebanon’s national airline, while his grandfather, Abi Salam, served as mayor and deputy of Beirut during the Ottoman era and was a leading advocate for reform.

Salam began his career in 1984 as a lawyer in several Lebanese courts, serving as a legal adviser to several local legal bodies and as a legal representative for international organizations until 2007.

In parallel, he pursued an academic path starting in 1979 as a lecturer at the Sorbonne, specializing in the modern history of the Middle East.




In this photo taken on September 23, 2011, then Lebanese Ambassador to UN Nawaf Salam is shown acknowledging that he received, as head of the Security Council, a formal request from Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the state of Palestine to become a full member of the UN. (AFP file)

He later became a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and a lecturer at the American University of Beirut where he taught international law and relations, served as a visiting professor and associate professor in political science, and rose to become the head of the Department of Political Studies and Public Administration in 2007.

Salam is also an accomplished author, with contributions in law, international law, history, and political science.

In 2007, he was named Lebanon’s permanent representative to the UN in New York, where he served for 10 years. During his tenure, Salam presided over the 67th session of the UN Security Council and served as vice president of the General Assembly until 2013, where he became an advocate for Lebanon’s vital interests and broader Arab and international issues.




In this photo taken on July 19, 2024, Nawaf Salam 2nd R), judge and president of the International Court of Justice, delivers a non-binding ruling on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem at the ICJ in The Hague. (AFP)

In 2018, Salam became a judge at the ICJ and, in February last year, was elected president of the court, becoming the first Lebanese citizen to hold the post.

He took over the court’s presidency as it held its first hearing in 2024 on a case filed by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza, which Israel has dismissed as baseless. He is set to be replaced by Ugandan judge Julia Sebutinde, who will now oversee the case.

During his tenure at the ICJ, Salam issued a historic advisory opinion condemning the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and called for the halt of the expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

Earlier, Salam played a significant role in electoral reform during his three-year tenure as a member of the executive office of Lebanon’s Economic and Social Council and as a rapporteur in the National Commission for Electoral Law Reform until 2005.




Lebanon's new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam faces the challenge of rebuilding areas damaged by Israeli airstrikes during its war with Hezbollah. (AFP) 

Salam now faces one of the biggest challenges of his career as he begins consultations with MPs to form a new cabinet.

Lebanese political leaders and President Aoun, in his inaugural address, have emphasized that the new government must be built on national unity to address the urgent needs of the Lebanese people and navigate the country’s dire economic, social, and political crises.

Rebuilding areas damaged by Israeli airstrikes during its war with Hezbollah and implementing reforms to satisfy international donors amid the country’s worst economic crisis in its history are the top priorities ahead of Salam.




Another key challenge facing PM Nawaf Salam is the disarmament of the Hezbollah militia, whose war with Israel has brought about massive deaths and destruction to Lebanon. (AFP photo)

One of the most sensitive tasks is the disarmament of Hezbollah, consolidating all weapons under state institutions in accordance with national laws and as pledged by Aoun in his inaugural address.

Salam’s government will need to craft new political understandings to redefine Lebanon’s approach to Hezbollah. This includes guiding the militia’s transition from its historical reliance on Iranian and Syrian ties to a framework that prioritizes national interests.

Deploying the Lebanese army to reclaim full sovereignty over national borders and to secure the return of territories occupied by Israel — particularly those seized during the recent conflict — will be critical.




A convoy of Lebanese army military vehicles is seen entering the southern Lebanese coastal town of Naqura, on the border with Israel on January 7, 2025, after Israel's withdrawal from the area as part of the ceasefire agreement between the two countries. (AFP)

These efforts will involve leveraging regional and international support to implement UN Resolution 1701, which mandates an end to hostilities with Israel under international law.

Salam’s appointment has already garnered widespread backing, particularly from Saudi Arabia, alongside other Arab nations, Western allies, the Arab League, and the UN, which have expressed their commitment to Lebanon’s democratic process and the incoming government.

Shortly after the announcement of the new prime minister, Mikati called Salam to congratulate him and wish him success in his mission to form a new administration.




Lebanon's new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (L) speaks with the country's outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati during their meeting in Beirut on January 14, 2025.(AFP)

Mikati said his caretaker government, which navigated Lebanon during a tumultuous period, had laid the foundations for postwar recovery through issuing draft laws ready for parliamentary approval and preparing reform projects.

He stressed the need for unity and consensus to lead the next phase for Lebanon.

“Past experiences have shown that there is no alternative to consensus and that an approach of defiance has cost us many opportunities for recovery,” Mikati said. “The challenges we face are undoubtedly great, but the will of our people is stronger.”

Congratulating Salam, EU Ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele called for a swift government formation to launch much-needed reforms and revive state institutions.

The regional and international backing for Salam’s designation is likely to lead to a flow of funds from Western and Arab nations, crucial in helping his new cabinet in the reconstruction process and Lebanon’s recovery.
 

 


‘As soon as possible,’ says senior US envoy on timeline for disarming Hezbollah

Updated 20 sec ago
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‘As soon as possible,’ says senior US envoy on timeline for disarming Hezbollah

  • Morgan Ortagus says Lebanese people must be ‘free from foreign influence, free from terrorism’
  • Envoy praises Lebanon’s new cabinet, describing ministers as ‘real patriots’ with clear vision for reforms

LONDON: Hezbollah and all militias in Lebanon must be disarmed “as soon as possible,” US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus has told the Lebanese broadcaster LBCI.

Ortagus, who was speaking to LBCI’s Toni Mrad in an interview aired on Sunday, emphasized President Donald Trump’s firm position that only by disarming militant groups could the Lebanese people be “free from foreign influence, free from terrorism, free from the fears that have been so pervasive in society.”

Speaking during her second visit to Lebanon, where she has held “fantastic meetings” with President Joseph Aoun and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, Ortagus also reiterated Washington’s continued support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, while stressing that disarmament remained a central pillar of any meaningful recovery.

“We, of course, always bring up disarming Hezbollah, but not just Hezbollah, all militias in this country,” Ortagus said.

“President Aoun said clearly in his inaugural speech that he wanted the state to have the monopoly of force, he wanted the state to be the one with the weapons. That is a position that we support,” she added.

When asked to outline a timeline on disarming the Iran-backed group, Ortagus said there was “not necessarily a timetable,” but that it should happen “as soon as possible.”

She continued that the US had been providing aid and assistance, training, funding, and equipment to the LAF (Lebanese Armed Forces) for decades.

“That’s a very important American priority. Now that we’re in this new era — where the LAF is really able, under President Aoun’s leadership, to exert more authority over the state — we want to help them move toward those goals. Those goals are real; they’re clear,” she said.

Ortagus, who served as spokesperson for the State Department during the first Trump administration, said she was “very encouraged” by Lebanon’s new cabinet, describing its ministers as “real patriots” with a clear vision for reforms. This was in stark contrast to what she described as the “depressing” conditions of the past decade.

Handout photo provided by Lebanese Presidency on April 5, 2025, shows Lebanon’s President Aoun (R) meeting with Ortagus (2nd-R) and members of her delegation at the Presidential Palace in Baabda. (AFP)

When asked whether Hezbollah could play a political role in Lebanon if disarmed, Ortagus responded by reframing the question in terms of broader US policy under Trump.

“I don’t come here as a US official representing the Trump administration to make demands: ‘You must do X, you must do Y.’ Rather, I encourage and say: If you want continued partnership with the United States, you have to meet certain goals and criteria,” she said.

“When I came here the first time, it was important to me that Nawaf Salam did not have Hezbollah represented among his ministers, just as important was that there not be corrupt ministers; corruption has eroded society’s confidence.

“If (Lebanon’s leaders) choose to work together and partner with the US government to disarm Hezbollah, to fulfil the cessation of hostilities, to end endemic corruption, we’re going to be a wonderful partner and friend. And there will be more of that to come.

“But if the government and the leaders choose to slow-walk that or not be part of that vision for Lebanon that we share, that’s a choice they can make. But they shouldn’t expect partnership if they’re not achieving these goals,” she added.

Addressing speculation over potential Lebanese normalization with Israel, Ortagus dismissed the issue as premature.

“I didn’t have a single conversation about that topic here in Lebanon. What we’re focused on now is implementing the cessation of hostilities. We’re focused on disarming Hezbollah. We’re focused on economic reforms,” she said. “You have to crawl before you run; we’re still at the crawling stage.”

On Lebanon’s deepening economic crisis, Ortagus said US support would hinge on reforms, echoing positions taken by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

“Lebanon must get off things like the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) gray list. It must move beyond a cash-based economy. It must return to having a sophisticated financial sector, the one Lebanon used to be known for,” she said.

Ortagus revealed she was struck by a billboard in Beirut that read “Make Lebanon Great Again,” saying she took a photo of it to show Trump.

“I loved that sign,” she said. “If you want to make Lebanon great again, you must implement these reforms. It’s tough, but Lebanon is in one of the worst financial conditions I’ve seen in the past 20 or 30 years.”

Calling the situation “devastating,” she warned that radical change was required to avoid collapse. “To rescue yourselves, you’ll need reforms, and some of them radical, to save the country.”

Ortagus also called for an overhaul of the traditional donor-aid approach to post-conflict reconstruction, advocating instead for increased private-sector investment and innovation.

“Our vision for Lebanon is not just as a donor country always asking for donations,” she told Mrad. “How do we think of a better way to rebuild southern Lebanon? We want people to have jobs. We want them to have hope for the future.”

Pointing to the regional devastation in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, she said the world must “look differently at these war-torn regions” and empower their youth to participate in shaping a more prosperous future.


King Abdullah of Jordan discusses Gaza during summit with Egyptian, French presidents in Cairo

Updated 07 April 2025
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King Abdullah of Jordan discusses Gaza during summit with Egyptian, French presidents in Cairo

  • Leaders urge global community to advocate for end to Israeli war in the enclave
  • Israeli attacks undermine diplomatic efforts, risk dragging region into chaos, Jordanian ruler warns

LONDON: King Abdullah II of Jordan emphasized the need to halt the Israeli offensive in Gaza during a summit with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Cairo.

The leaders on Monday urged the international community to advocate for an end to the Israeli war in Gaza, restore the ceasefire agreement, and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian coastal enclave.

King Abdullah said that Israeli attacks on Gaza undermine all diplomatic and humanitarian efforts to resolve the crisis and risk dragging the entire Middle East into chaos, the Petra news agency reported.

He stressed the need for a political solution based on the two-state vision, which would ensure security and stability for both Palestinians and Israelis.

King Abdullah said that Jordan opposes the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, warning against Israeli unilateral actions and assaults on Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, the Petra added.

The Jordanian ruler and El-Sisi welcomed France’s support for resolving the Palestinian issue. They highlighted the need for international cooperation, especially from EU countries, including France, to aid in Gaza’s reconstruction.

After arriving in Cairo on Sunday, Macron will travel to Al-Arish, 50 kilometers from the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday to meet with humanitarian and security authorities, and push for a ceasefire. On Monday, he expressed strong opposition to any displacement or annexation in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

King Abdullah, El-Sisi, and Macron highlighted the need for a political solution to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, aiming for lasting peace, the Petra reported.

The Jordanian delegation included the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, Ayman Safadi; Director of the King’s Office, Alaa Batayneh, and the Ambassador to Cairo, Amjad Al-Adaileh.


UAE to host World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi

Updated 07 April 2025
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UAE to host World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi

  • Forum to be held under patronage of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and national security adviser
  • Sheikh Tahnoon highlights UAE’s efforts to address crises, emergencies, and disasters worldwide 

LONDON: Global resilience and policies for mitigating future risks will be explored at the World Crisis and Emergency Management Summit 2025 hosted by the UAE in Abu Dhabi this week.

The summit will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi and national security adviser, from April 8-9 under the theme “Together Towards Building Global Resilience.”

Sheikh Tahnoon said the summit reflects the UAE’s “firm belief that international cooperation and cross-border collaboration are vital to achieving true global resilience.”

He highlighted Abu Dhabi’s efforts to address crises, emergencies, and disasters worldwide, the Emirate News Agency reported.

“Our strategic deployment of artificial intelligence and cutting-edge innovations places us at the forefront of leveraging technology to enhance emergency preparedness and response systems,” Sheikh Tahnoon said.

This year’s summit will focus on global resilience, strategic foresight, and enhancing partnerships among governments, international organizations, and the private sector.

Emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and advanced communication systems, will also be discussed, the WAM added.

The summit will bring together decision-makers and experts, and feature two exhibitions: the Crisis Management Technologies Exhibition 2025 and the Generation Readiness Exhibition 2025. Both will explore the connections between technology and education to promote resilient, preparedness-oriented societies.

Sheikh Tahnoon said the UAE has consistently led efforts to deliver urgent aid to crisis-stricken communities worldwide, and the summit reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to unifying global humanitarian initiatives and strengthening international solidarity.

“We are confident that the dialogues and outcomes of this summit will generate shared insights and unify aspirations, contributing meaningfully to the creation of a safer, more sustainable, and prosperous future for all of humanity,” he added.


Palestinians in West Bank strike to demand end to Gaza war

Updated 07 April 2025
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Palestinians in West Bank strike to demand end to Gaza war

  • A coalition of Palestinian political movements — including rivals Fatah and Hamas — called the strike to protest what they described as “the genocide and the ongoing massacre of our people”
  • Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza on March 18, ending nearly two months of ceasefire with Hamas

RAMALLAH: Shuttered storefronts lined empty streets in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank on Monday, as Palestinians held a general strike demanding an end to the Gaza war.
“I walked through the city today and couldn’t find a single place that was open,” Fadi Saadi, a shopkeeper in Bethlehem, told AFP.
Shops, schools and most public administrative offices were closed across the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967.
A coalition of Palestinian political movements — including rivals Fatah and Hamas — called the strike to protest what they described as “the genocide and the ongoing massacre of our people.”
It called for the strike “in all the occupied Palestinian territories, in the refugee camps... and among those who support our cause.”
Israel resumed air strikes on Gaza on March 18, ending nearly two months of ceasefire with Hamas. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed almost daily since Israel restarted its military offensive.
“We close today about our family in Gaza, our children in Gaza,” said Imad Salman, 68, who owns a souvenir shop in Jerusalem’s Old City.
“In Jerusalem, in the West Bank, we can’t do something more than what we’re doing here now,” he told AFP.
In Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem, the usually bustling commercial Salaheddin street was empty.
“This strike is in solidarity with Gaza and what is happening there, and the war being waged against the Palestinian people, whether by (US President Donald) Trump, (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, the Israeli government, or the American government,” said Ahmed, who did not want to his surname.
“This war must stop, the killing and destruction must stop, and only peace should prevail — peace, and nothing but peace.”
A rally is planned Monday in the center of the West Bank city of Ramallah, where the Palestinian Authority has its headquarters.
“This time, the strike is serious, and the population’s commitment is significant because Israeli aggression now affects all Palestinian households, whether in the West Bank or Gaza,” said Issam Baker, a community organizer in Ramallah.
“We have seen total commitment in support of the strike today throughout the West Bank, which has not happened since October 7” 2023, when the Gaza war started, said a security source from the Palestinian Authority.
Since the start of the Gaza war, violence has soared in the West Bank.
Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 918 Palestinians, including militants, in the territory since then, according to health ministry figures.
Palestinian attacks and clashes during military raids have killed at least 33 Israelis, including soldiers, over the same period, according to official figures.


Dutch tighten controls on military and dual use exports to Israel

Updated 07 April 2025
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Dutch tighten controls on military and dual use exports to Israel

AMSTERDAM: The Dutch government said on Monday it had tightened export controls for all military and ‘dual use’ goods destined for Israel.
All direct exports and the transit of these goods to Israel will be checked to see if they comply with European regulations, and will no longer be covered by general export licenses, the government said in a letter to parliament.
“This is desirable considering the security situation in Israel, the Palestinian territories and the wider region,” foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp and trade minister Reinette Klever wrote.
“Exporters will still be able to request permits, that will then be checked against European regulations.”
The government said no military goods for Israel had been exported from the Netherlands under a general permit since Israel started its war in Gaza following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
It said that the general license for the export of “low risk information security goods,” such as routers for network security, was frequently used for export to Israel.
It estimated that between 50 and 100 permits for the export of those goods would now have to be requested on an individual basis.
A Dutch court last year ordered the government to block all exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel over concerns they were being used to violate international law during the war in Gaza. Israel denies violating international law.