Lebanese Parliament Endorses New Government Led by Nawaf Salam

The Lebanese Parliament voted to support the new government led by Nawaf Salam, authorizing it with 95 votes. Salam, previously president of the International Court of Justice, emphasized armed forces defense. The U.S. State Department expressed support for the government in reforming Lebanon’s economy. Salam has a history of condemning Israel during his UN tenure, and Hezbollah has violated a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

The Lebanese Parliament granted confidence to the newly formed government led by Nawaf Salam, approving it with 95 votes out of 128. Salam, designated in mid-January, has previously served as the president of the International Court of Justice. Notably, his assertion that only Lebanon’s armed forces should defend the nation, contrasts with the support he received from the Hezbollah bloc in Parliament for his cabinet appointments, despite Hezbollah not endorsing his prime ministership.

Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the United States State Department, extended her congratulations to both Prime Minister Salam and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. In her statement, she emphasized the historical deprivation of the Lebanese people from a unifying governing body and stressed the importance of the new government as it seeks to implement essential economic reforms. Bruce reaffirmed America’s commitment to support the Lebanese Armed Forces in their efforts to maintain peace amid ongoing hostilities.

During his previous role as Lebanon’s ambassador to the United Nations, Salam notably condemned Israel on numerous occasions, reportedly voting against it 210 times over an 11-year period. He has characterized Israel’s leadership as pursuing policies akin to “ethnic cleansing” and has referred to the nation as an “apartheid” state on various occasions. Additionally, despite a ceasefire agreement established between Israel and Hezbollah on November 27, the terror organization has allegedly violated this agreement multiple times.

In conclusion, the Lebanese Parliament’s vote of confidence in Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s government represents a pivotal moment for the nation. With the support of the U.S. government, Salam’s administration is poised to undertake crucial economic reforms, aligning its military and governmental authority amidst the complex geopolitical challenges posed by Hezbollah and Israel.

Original Source: www.jewishpress.com