Lebanon to name a prime minister as new phase begins

Lebanese President consults on premier, close race between Mikati and Salam, steps to revive government institutions.

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun began consultations with lawmakers on Monday (January 13, 2025) to designate a prime minister in what political sources saw as a tight race between incumbent Najib Mikati and International Court of Justice President Nawaf Salam.

The designation of the prime minister is the next step in the formation of a new administration following Mr. Aoun's election to the vacant presidency, which reflected a shift in the power balance since Hezbollah was pummelled in the war last year with Israel and its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was toppled.

Mr. Aoun, who enjoys the support of the United States and Saudi Arabia, must designate the candidate with the biggest backing among parliament's 128 lawmakers.

The outcome is expected to emerge by the end of the day.

The prime minister must be a Sunni Muslim according to Lebanon's sectarian power-sharing system which parcels out state positions on the basis of religious affiliation, with the presidency going to a Maronite Christian.

Mr. Mikati is a billionaire businessman who has served as prime minister four times. Lawmakers from groups including the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement and its ally the Shi'ite Amal Movement are expected to declare support for him to stay in the job, political sources said.

Mr. Salam, who has been ICJ president since last February and formerly served as Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations, has the backing of factions including the anti-Hezbollah Lebanese Forces, a leading Christian party.