Beirut, Lebanon – Joseph Aoun, the newly elected President of Lebanon, is set to appoint Nawaf Salam as the country’s next Prime Minister on Monday. Salam, a seasoned diplomat with an extensive career in both politics and international law, steps into a role that will demand navigating Lebanon through significant domestic and geopolitical challenges, including a crippling economic crisis and ongoing tensions in the region.
Born into a politically prominent family on December 15, 1953, in Beirut, Salam’s ties to Lebanon’s political landscape run deep. His father, Abdullah Salam, was a co-founder of Middle East Airlines. Salam’s educational journey led him from a degree in Social Sciences at the School of Graduate Studies in Paris to a doctorate in history from Sorbonne University. He furthered his academic credentials with a Law degree from Beirut University and a Master of Law from Harvard Law School.
Salam’s career has been marked by a commitment to legal and political reform, greatly influenced by his family’s historical opposition to imperialism and their active roles in Lebanese governance. His uncle and cousin both held the position of Prime Minister of Lebanon in periods spanning from the mid-20th century into the 21st century.
Professionally, Salam began his career teaching at prestigious universities including Harvard, Columbia, and Yale before venturing into Lebanese politics in 1999 as a member of the Executive Office of the Economic and Social Council. His diplomatic tenure included serving as Lebanon’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, where he became a key player on the international stage from 2007 to 2017.
Salam is known for his staunch advocacy for reform, particularly following the Cedar Revolution, a significant anti-Syrian occupation movement. His efforts were pivotal in Syria’s military withdrawal from Lebanon, leading to his active involvement in reshaping electoral laws. His stance as an independent, reformist leader is further underscored by his insistence that Lebanon’s security should solely be in the hands of its national military and security agencies.
On a personal note, Salam is married to Sahar Baassiri, a journalist and Lebanon’s ambassador to UNESCO, and is a father to two sons.
Internationally, Salam has held significant legal roles, including his recent tenure as the President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Prior to assuming leadership at the ICJ, he practiced law and taught international law and relations at the American University of Beirut. His presidency at the ICJ was marked by prominent rulings on global issues, including a declaration that certain wartime actions by Israel in Gaza could be considered plausible acts of genocide.
During his time at the court, Salam presided over cases that firmly positioned him as a crucial voice against what he described as illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel. These include a landmark ruling where the ICJ determined Israel’s occupations in territories such as the West Bank and East Jerusalem to be unlawful under international law.
As Lebanon prepares to welcome Salam as its potential new Prime Minister, his vast experience and international respect will be critical in steering the nation toward recovery and stability in an environment fraught with both economic and political instability.
Salam’s appointment and subsequent role as Prime Minister will undoubtedly be observed with keen interest both at home and abroad, as Lebanon seeks paths to reconcile internal challenges with external pressures.
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