Lebanon has formed its first full government since 2022, as newly appointed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam announced a 24-member cabinet on February 8, 2025. President Joseph Aoun officially accepted the resignation of the previous caretaker government and signed a decree approving the new leadership.
The formation of the government comes at a critical time for Lebanon, which is struggling to rebuild after a devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah. A US-brokered ceasefire ended the conflict in November, but the country’s southern region remains severely damaged. In addition to security concerns, Lebanon continues to face a deep economic crisis that has left many citizens unable to access their savings, while key sectors like banking and electricity remain in turmoil.
Prime Minister Salam, a former diplomat and president of the International Court of Justice, has pledged to implement judicial and economic reforms. His appointment marks a shift away from leaders aligned with Hezbollah, as Lebanon seeks to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations.
Although Hezbollah did not endorse Salam, the group participated in negotiations over Shiite Muslim seats in the cabinet, in accordance with Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system. Similarly, President Aoun—who was elected in January after a long vacancy—has expressed his intention to limit armed groups’ influence, indirectly referring to Hezbollah’s military presence.
With a new government in place, Lebanon faces the challenging task of restoring stability, rebuilding war-torn areas, and addressing its prolonged economic struggles.
