Lebanon’s Nawaf Salam, ICJ choose turned Prime Minister

“Nawaf Salam is extensively revered for his tutorial rigor, unbiased views, and dedication to justice and human rights.” File
| Picture Credit score: AFP

Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s new Prime Minister, is a number one worldwide choose who gained help for staying out of the political infighting that has paralysed the crisis-hit nation in recent times.

The 71-year-old, who till now was presiding choose on the Worldwide Court docket of Justice in The Hague, hails from a distinguished Beirut political household.

He had beforehand been put ahead to kind a cupboard within the deeply divided Mediterranean nation, however Iran-backed Hezbollah had repeatedly objected, with opponents of the group hoping Mr. Salam would have the ability to reform state establishments lengthy underneath its grip.

Hezbollah has since been badly weakened by its current battle with Israel and the lack of a key ally in Syria’s Bashar al-Assad, enabling new Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday to job Mr. Salam with forming a authorities.

The group and its ally Amal once more objected to Mr. Salam, however for the primary time, different political events beforehand allied to the Shiite motion have endorsed him.

“Nawaf Salam is extensively revered for his tutorial rigor, unbiased views, and dedication to justice and human rights,” stated Lebanese analyst Imed Salamey.

“His skill to keep up equal distance from Lebanon’s divided events, whereas embodying ideas of justice and governance, makes him a logo of hope for a extra accountable and inclusive future.”

Because the nation’s economic system was collapsing in 2019, mass protests erupted demanding an overhaul of a ruling class accused of corruption and largely unchanged because the 1975-1991 civil battle.

However they petered out because the Covid pandemic hit, earlier than an enormous explosion on the Beirut port ravaged the capital in 2020.

‘Reformist’

Born in Beirut in 1953, Mr. Salam studied legislation and political science, together with at Harvard in america and Sciences Po in France.

Mr. Salam was made Lebanon’s ambassador to the United Nations in 2007, when anti-Hezbollah politician Fuad Siniora was prime minister, and stayed within the submit for a decade.

Politicians against Hezbollah would go on to recommend a number of occasions that Mr. Salam head a brand new authorities.

Mr. Salam turned president of the ICJ in February final yr.

“His function at The Hague bolsters his profile as a reformist able to addressing corruption and inefficiency, aligning him with the calls for of Lebanon’s residents for accountability and transparency,” stated Salamey.

Mr. Salam’s prolific writings embody a 2004 essay about reforming the Lebanese electoral system.

In July, he introduced that the ICJ had discovered that Israel’s continued presence within the Palestinian territories was “unlawful” and referred to as for an finish to “its illegal presence as quickly as doable”.

The assertion was not binding, however got here amid mounting concern over the loss of life toll and destruction in Israel’s battle towards Hamas, sparked by the Palestinian group’s assault on October 7, 2023.

Israel slammed the choice as “lies”, whereas Palestinians stated it was a “watershed second”.

‘Proper path’

Mr. Salam’s choice comes after lawmakers — underneath worldwide stress, particularly from america and Saudi Arabia — lastly elected Aoun as president following a two-year emptiness within the function.

Lebanese college professor Ali Mrad stated help for Mr. Salam’s nomination mirrored “the true modifications that Lebanon is experiencing”.

Mrad stated that choosing a premier with worldwide values, reformist qualities and a observe file of getting taken a agency stand on the Palestinian problem, might set Lebanon on the “proper path”.

Mr. Salam follows within the footsteps of his uncle Saeb, who headed the federal government 4 occasions between 1952 and 1973, and his cousin Tammam, who was premier from 2014 to 2016.

His spouse Sahar Baassiri is a former Lebanese envoy to the UN cultural and training fund in Paris.