Nawaf Salam, head of the International Court of Justice, is set to become Lebanon's next prime minister after securing majority support from lawmakers on Monday. This marks a significant blow to Hezbollah, which had endorsed caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati to retain the post. Salam's ascent reflects a reshaping of Lebanon's political landscape following Hezbollah's weakening in the aftermath of its war with Israel and the fall of its Syrian ally, Bashar al-Assad. Salam's designation follows the election of General Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president last week, ending a two-year political deadlock. Aoun, a Maronite Christian and former army commander backed by the United States, was seen as a stabilizing force. His election, coupled with Salam's likely appointment, represents a shift toward leaders perceived as independent of entrenched political factions and Hezbollah's influence. Salam, a respected judge, lawyer, and former ambassador to the United Nations, has been endorsed by opposition and independent MPs. His supporters view him as a reformist capable of addressing Lebanon's economic and political crises. Under Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the parliament speaker a Shia Muslim. Salam faces the daunting task of rebuilding Lebanon's economy and restoring public trust in governance. The new administration must also implement reforms to address Lebanon's financial collapse and oversee reconstruction in areas devastated by Israeli airstrikes. Hezbollah, which has seen its influence wane, faces increasing calls to shift its focus from armed resistance to political engagement. MP George Adwan of the Lebanese Forces declared that "the era of weapons is over," signaling growing resistance to Hezbollah's dominance. The ceasefire deal with Israel requires Hezbollah to withdraw fighters from southern Lebanon, allowing the national army and UN peacekeepers to secure the border region. Meanwhile, Hezbollah's standing has been further diminished by the loss of its key ally in Syria after Assad's ousting. Salam's backers see his appointment as a step toward reform and national recovery. — Agencies
