After nearly three years without a functioning government, Lebanon has finally formed a new cabinet. The formation comes amidst an economic crisis and following a 14-month war with Israel. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam emphasizes the government's commitment to economic reforms and international collaboration. The cabinet faces significant challenges, including securing donor aid, addressing the influence of Hizbollah, and navigating Lebanon's complex political landscape.
Lebanon has finally formed a new cabinet after a near three-year hiatus, ending a period of political instability during an acute economic crisis and a 14-month war with Israel. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, appointed less than a month ago, emphasized the government's commitment to enacting crucial financial and economic reforms and fostering a collaborative environment.
He aims to build a government with international credibility capable of implementing these reforms and mitigating the influence of Hizbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement. The new cabinet, a diverse mix of businessmen, veteran ministers, and newcomers, reflects Lebanon's political landscape characterized by various factions rather than a dominant coalition. Salam's efforts to form a government capable of securing much-needed donor aid have been closely watched. International donors, eager to assist Lebanon's reconstruction, have made their support contingent on the appointment of a cabinet able to reform the state's dysfunctional systems and sideline Hizbollah, which has been weakened by its recent conflict with Israel. The US has stated its unwillingness to accept Hizbollah's representation within the government, further highlighting the international pressure on Lebanon to break free from the group's influence.Despite the pressure, Amal has retained control of the crucial finance ministry through the appointment of veteran MP and former economy minister Yassine Jaber. The cabinet formation process was marked by tensions, particularly regarding the appointment of a Shia minister. Salam insisted on personally nominating one, leading to a four-day standoff with Nabih Berri, the long-time parliament speaker and head of Amal, over the candidate selection. The eventual appointment of behavioral economist and former economy official Fadi Makki as a Shia minister could provide Salam with a crucial ally within the parliament if Hizbollah and Amal decide to boycott the cabinet, a tactic they have employed in the past. The new cabinet now awaits a parliamentary vote of confidence to formally assume power. While such a vote being withheld by parliament is a rare occurrence, the government faces the crucial task of navigating Lebanon's complex political landscape and addressing the multifaceted challenges facing the nation. One notable challenge will be determining whether to include a reference to the Lebanese people's right to resist Israeli occupation in the government's ministerial statement. This reference, in practice, pertains to Hizbollah's possession of weapons and has been a consistent feature of previous ministerial statements, dating back to 1996. Including or excluding this statement will significantly impact the government's relationship with both Israel and Hizbollah
LEBANON GOVERNMENT CABINET ECONOMIC CRISIS HIZBALLAH AMAL MOVEMENT INTERNATIONAL AID POLITICAL INSTABILIY
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