Lebanese President Joseph Aoun began consultations with lawmakers to designate a new Prime Minister. The race was down to two contenders: caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and International Court of Justice President Judge Nawaf Salam.
In a move to consolidate the opposition’s efforts, MPs Fouad Makhzoumi and Ibrahim Mneimneh withdrew their candidacy.
The “Loyalty to the Resistance” bloc, made up of Hezbollah and its allies, attempted to delay it by requesting a meeting with the President the next day. However, President Joseph Aoun rejected it and demanded that they meet today, which they did. Hezbollah allies were backing Najib Mikati.
The 128 members of parliament are required to meet with the President to give their choice of candidate for the Prime Minister. This is called the “parliamentary consultations.”
The MPs voted as follows:
- Nawaf Salam: 85
- Najib Mikati: 9
- No Nominations: 34
Judge Nawaf Salam has garnered major public support among Lebanese, winning all polls conducted by 961 by a landslide. Aside from being a new face, Lebanese are hoping he will be able to lead the much-needed overhaul of the judiciary system to limit corruption – as the President promised during his speech.
Nawaf Salam is a key figure behind the UNSCR 1701 and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon which held Hezbollah responsible for the assassination of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.
