Lebanon has entered a critical phase as President Joseph Aoun initiated consultations for the selection of a new prime minister on Monday. With the country lacking a president since October 2022, these discussions are taking place against the backdrop of a caretaker government and one of the worst economic crises in the nation's history. This vacuum has left Lebanon in dire need of effective leadership to address numerous pressing issues.
The consultations commenced at 8:15 AM local time (06:15 GMT), starting with a meeting involving Elias Abu Saab, the deputy parliament speaker. The outcome of these parliamentary discussions is anticipated to be revealed by the end of the day, setting the stage for what could be a lengthy process of government formation.
Lebanon operates under a unique power-sharing system designed to balance authority among its diverse communities. According to this system, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament must be a Shia Muslim. This arrangement has significant implications for political dynamics within the country.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati currently leads the government and has the backing of the Hezbollah-led alliance. However, Nawaf Salam, who is favored by anti-Hezbollah legislators, has emerged as a frontrunner for the prime minister position. The new prime minister will bear the responsibility of forming a new government, a task that could extend for months as Lebanon grapples with its deteriorating economic landscape.
Lebanon's challenges include implementing reforms necessary to appease international donors. A recent ceasefire agreement reached on November 27 addressed various issues, including the disarmament of Hezbollah, emphasizing the urgent need for stable governance in Lebanon to navigate these complexities.
In light of these developments, President Aoun expressed hopes for collaborative governance, stating, “The newly elected President Aoun said that he hopes the next prime minister will be a partner and not an opponent,” as reported by Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr.
