Nawaf Salam, former Lebanese ambassador to the UN and judge at the International Court of Justice. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — Nawaf Salam, judge at the International Court of Justice and ex-ambassador of Lebanon to the UN, announced on Twitter Wednesday that he will not be running in the country’s legislative elections on May 15. “I am not looking for a seat in Parliament, my concerns go beyond that,” Salam tweeted.
Here’s what we know:
• Salam’s tweet ended speculation about his candidacy. However, in his statement, he outlined his political vision for a country in crisis, which some contend may suggest that the Sunni figure has aspirations to the post of prime minister, especially after the withdrawal of Future Movement leader and former Premier Saad Hariri from the political scene.
• “My decision not to stand in these legislative elections comes from the fact that I am not looking for a seat in Parliament. My concerns go beyond that,” Salam wrote.
• During the Oct. 17 uprising in 2019, Salam was one of the few representatives of the political establishment to garner support from various figures amidst the revolt, in comparison to the traditional political parties that claimed to be in opposition.
• Salam explained that he wants to “avoid small quarrels and big appetites,” believing that the upcoming election will take place “in the absence of real equality of opportunity.”
• He asserted that “the reforms and the regaining of sovereignty are not limited to the next elections,” while criticizing the electoral law in force as “tailor-made by those in power.”
• “Faced with the dangerous structural crisis that threatens our country ... there will be salvation only through the continuation of our work, during the elections and after the deadline, in order to reform our State and strengthen its institutions,” Salam added, before calling for a “global national project.”
• Former Prime Minister Fouad Siniora tried to convince Salam to run as a candidate in Beirut. Siniora found that his own candidacy would not necessarily be well received in the capital and therefore considered that Salam was best equipped for the role.