Lebanese Presidency announces formation of new government of 24 ministers

The Lebanese presidency announced on Saturday the formation of a new government of 24 ministers headed by Nawaf Salam, after weeks of intensive consultations that came amid changes in the balance of political power.

The presidency stated in a statement that "President Joseph Aoun signed a decree accepting the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government, and a decree assigning Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to form the government, and signed with the prime minister-designate a decree forming a government of 24 ministers."

The Secretary-General of the Lebanese Prime Minister Mahmoud Makkieh announced that Nawaf Salam was appointed Prime Minister of the new government according to a presidential decree, Yassin Jaber as Minister of Finance, Youssef Raji as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Ahmed Hajjar as Minister of Interior and Municipalities, and Michel Mensa as Minister of Defense.

Following the announcement of the formation of the government, Salam said, “Reform is the only way to salvation... and the government will seek to restore confidence between the citizen and the state.”

He added, "The government, in cooperation with the House of Representatives, will have to proceed with financial and economic reforms and implement the Taif Agreement."

He pledged that his government would work "in harmony among its various members and that diversity would not be a source of obstruction" to its work.

He added, "I am setting my sights on establishing a state of law and institutions, and laying the foundations for reform and rescue... and I hope that we will launch together a workshop to build a new Lebanon."

For his part, Aoun expressed his satisfaction with the formation of the new government, and said that its members are non-partisan, but they will certainly be in the service of all Lebanese, because their goal will be only the interest of Lebanon.

The President of the Lebanese Republic stressed that the formation of the government was based on the criteria of competence, experience and specialization, in addition to the CV and good reputation.

He added that he agreed with the Prime Minister that the government would not include party ministers and would be homogeneous and united.

Al Jazeera correspondent Catherine Hanna reported that the new Lebanese government does not include the blocking third for any political party, and that its members will not run in the upcoming legislative elections.

Replies

In the first reactions after the government was announced, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed its formation, considering it to represent a "new and bright chapter" for the country.

“Today’s formation of the government paves the way for a new and bright chapter for Lebanon,” she said in a comment on the X platform. “The United Nations looks forward to working with the Government of Lebanon in its efforts to promote fundamental reforms and consolidate security and stability through the full implementation of resolution 1701.”

It is noteworthy that the formation of the new government in Lebanon comes after talks that lasted more than 3 weeks with various political parties, where government positions are distributed according to the quota system.

A state of stagnation has prevailed in recent days regarding the Shiite ministers, who are usually appointed by Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement.

Source: Al Jazeera + Agencies