Lebanon's presidency announced Saturday that President Joseph Aoun has signed decrees tasking Nawaf Salam with forming a new government and accepting the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati. The formation of the new 24-minister government comes after weeks of political negotiations. President Aoun also signed a decree with the designated Prime Minister, officially establishing the new government. The first session of the new Cabinet is scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, at Baabda Palace in Beirut. The government formation follows more than three weeks of discussions with various Lebanese political parties. Incoming Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated that his new government will prioritise implementing economic reforms to facilitate access to reconstruction funding and investments following the war between Israel and Hezbollah last year. In a speech following his designation, Salam affirmed that Lebanon will uphold UN Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. "Now that the government has been announced, which I hope will be a government of reform and salvation… I would like to emphasize the following points… First, that reform is the only path to real salvation," Salam said. He added that the government will work to "secure security and stability in Lebanon by completing the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement." Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers, Mahmoud Makieh, announced the members of the 24-member government: * Deputy Prime Minister: Tarek Mitri * Minister of Defence: Michel Mnassah * Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants: Youssef Rajji * Minister of Tele-Communications: Charles Hajj * Minister of Energy and Water: Joseph Saddi * Minister of Interior: Ahmed Al-Hajjar * Minister of Justice: Adel Nassar * Minister of Finance: Yassin Jaber * Minister of Public Health: Rakan Nassereddine * Minister of Culture: Ghassan Salemeh * Minister of Industry: Joe Issa Al-Khoury * Minister of Economy & Trade: Amer Al-Bsat * Minister of Agriculture: Nizar Hani * Minister of Information: Paul Morcos * Minister of Social Affairs: Hanin Al-Sayed * Minister of Public Works & Transport: Fayez Rasamny * Minister of Displacement: Kamal Shehadeh (Minister of State for Technology Affairs) * Minister of Labor: Mohamad Haider * Minister of Youth and Sports: Nora Bayrakdarian * Minister of Tourism: Laura El Khazen Lahoud * Minister of Administrative Development: Fadi Makki * Minister of Education & Higher Education: Rima Karameh * Minister of Environment: Tamara El-Zein The formation process had been stalled in recent days due to disagreements over the appointment of Shiite ministers, traditionally designated by Hezbollah and its ally, the Amal Movement. United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, welcomed the formation of the new government, stating that it "paves the way for a new and bright chapter for Lebanon." The UN coordinator added that the United Nations looks forward to working with the Lebanese government "in its efforts to promote fundamental reforms and consolidate security and stability through the full implementation of the UN resolution." European Union Ambassador to Lebanon, Sandra De Waele, also expressed support for the new Lebanese government, welcoming its commitment to a reform agenda. "We express our support for the new government in Lebanon and welcome its commitment to having a reform agenda. Reforms are necessary for the future of Lebanon and we will continue to support them," De Waele said in a post on X. She further stated, "We are counting on all political actors not only to adopt the reforms but to implement them."
