Lebanon forms first complete govt in more than two years

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has finalized his cabinet amid an ongoing economic crisis and regional tensions

Lebanon has formed its first full-fledged government since 2022, as the country works to rebuild its devastated southern region and ensure security in the aftermath of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

President Joseph Aoun announced on Saturday that he had accepted the resignation of the former caretaker government and signed a decree formally inviting the new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to form a government.

Government posts in Lebanon are allocated based on sectarian affiliations. The president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of parliament must be a Shiite Muslim.

Salam formed a new cabinet of 24 ministers, five of whom are women, less than a month after he got the top job.

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The breakthrough follows more than three weeks of political deadlock, particularly regarding the selection of Shiite ministers, traditionally chosen by Hezbollah itself and its ally, the Amal party.

Since 2008, Hezbollah and Amal have held one-third of cabinet seats, allowing them to veto decisions and dissolve the government. According to media reports, this time Salam refused to meet their demands.

The announcement comes just a day after the US deputy Middle East envoy, Morgan Ortagus, insisted Hezbollah be omitted from the new cabinet. While visiting Lebanon, she also thanked Israel for dealing a devastating blow to the group.

Her visit sparked criticism when photos of her wearing a Star of David ring emerged on social media.

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Lebanon has been battling an economic crisis since at least 2019, exacerbated by the 2020 Beirut port blast that killed more than 200 and destroyed a large section of the city. Combined with the Covid pandemic and civil unrest over allegations of government corruption, it has left the nation struggling to address a slate of issues that have crippled its economy.

In October 2023, Hezbollah joined Hamas in its war against Israel and fought a low-intensity campaign against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) along the ‘blue line’ separating Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights. The conflict escalated in September when Israel bombed Hezbollah strongholds in southern Beirut, killing many top commanders.

Hezbollah signed a ceasefire with Israel in late November, agreeing to withdraw from southern Lebanon between the ‘blue line’ and the Litani River, allowing only the Lebanese Army and UN peacekeepers in the area.