By Andrea Tucci,
Unwelcome to both the Shiite Hezbollah movement and to the Israeli right wing, the new Lebanese Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam has placed the two warring parties on the same side. However, It should be emphasized that he has significant “blessings” from the United State, Saudi Arabia, as well as other key players in the Middle Eastern region.
The Salam family’s roots in Beirut’s intricate political labyrinths run deep. The Salam family is Sunni, as it must be, given that under the principle of dividing positions along communal lines, Lebanon’s prime minister can only be Sunni and It is not a coincidence the visit, scheduled this week, of the Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan. According to some journalist sources, the Saudi foreign minister will announce the opening of a new phase of Saudi-Lebanese relations, signalling the end of the strained ties between the two countries during the past Hezbollah’s strong influence.The visit underscores Riyadh’s renewed commitment to supporting Lebanon in various sectors, reaffirming its historic role as a key financial backer of the Lebanese state.
On the same note, Aoun, on his first foreign trip as Lebanon’s head of state, is set to visit Saudi Arabia, during which 22 bilateral agreements in the economic, financial, agricultural and security sectors are expected to be signed. Following the same source beside Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, is going to establish a joint fund with Qatar and Kuwait in the coming period. With this, Aoun intends to inaugurate “A New Era” for Lebanon.
It seems the Salam family’s alignment has always been oriented toward Sunni circles closer to the interests of Saudi Arabia and the United States and this fact also makes Nawaf not particularly welcomed by the Shiite community, especially Hezbollah. Several deputies associated with Hezbollah expressed their discontent and spoke of betrayal: after removing their veto on the election of Joseph Aoun as president, members of the “Party of God” had expected the appointment of a more “neutral” prime minister.
Beyond his family background, Nawaf Salam is also known for his career as a diplomatic and jurist. In the latter capacity, the new prime minister, served as Lebanese’s representative to the United Nations between 2007 and 2017, also becoming President of the UN Security Council from 2010 to 2011. From his position at the UN, repeatedly criticised Israeli policies, voted against it in 210 occasions, emphasising the need for Palestinian self-determination. This position obviously did not make him particularly well-regarded by the parties supporting Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv.
However, the primary reason his name is unwelcome in the Jewish state, from 2018 until earlier this year, the designated prime minister, served as a judge at the International Court of Justice in the Hague, becoming its president last February. The case concerning the genocide lawsuit filed by South Africa against Israel therefore landed directly on his office.
Chosen by the newly elected President of the Republic, Joseph Aoun, hopes that the experience Salam that gained in his various previous roles will contribute to the success of his term. The task is far from simple, in fact beyond Hezbollah’s mistrust, Salam must also contend with a highly fragmented Parliament and by “A Neighbour” who doesn’t hold him in the highest regard…
