Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam promises ‘rescue, reform and reconstruction’ | Israel attacked Lebanon News
Salam says he is reaching out across the political spectrum in support of Hezbollah, which opposed his nomination.
Lebanon’s prime minister, Nawaf Salam, promised to “save, reform and rebuild” the crisis-hit country, and extended an olive branch to Hezbollah, which did not support his nomination.
In his first speech in the role on Tuesday, Salam said he was reaching out across the political spectrum after that winning support more than half of Lebanese parliamentarians.
“My hands are extended to everyone to embark on this mission together,” said Salam, who served as president of the International Court of Justice before being appointed prime minister.
“I am not one to exclude, but to unite,” he said, calling for a “new chapter” in Lebanon.
President-elect, Joseph Aounasked him to form a new government on Monday.
Salam’s nomination underscores the weakened position of Iran-backed Hezbollah after a devastating war with Israel and the ouster of its ally Bashar al-Assad in Syria last month.
Hezbollah backed interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stay in office.
Salam said he would “expand the authority of the Lebanese state throughout its territory” and “work seriously to fully implement UN Resolution 1701,” which calls on Hezbollah to withdraw from southern Lebanon.
Speaking of Israel, Salam said he would work to “enforce the complete withdrawal of the enemy from the last occupied centimeter of our land.”
In a country struggling with its worst financial crisis since 2019, he pledged to work to form a government that could “build a modern and productive economy.”
In religiously diverse Lebanon, the appointment of a prime minister does not guarantee that a new government will be formed soon.
The process previously took weeks or even months due to deep political divisions and tradeoffs.
But some are hopeful about Salam’s appointment as prime minister after a 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah that has left 4,000 dead and more than 16,000 injured. A 60-day ceasefire brokered by the United States took effect in November.
