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'All proposed names are suitable' for the position of prime minister, says Derian to Joseph Aoun

The Grand Mufti of the Republic, Lebanon's highest Sunni authority, stated that "it is up to the MPs" to choose between the different options.

'All proposed names are suitable' for the position of prime minister, says Derian to Joseph Aoun

Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Deriane and President Joseph Aoun in Baabda on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Photo provided by the presidential press office)

Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian, Lebanon's highest Sunni authority, stated Saturday from the presidential palace in Baabda that "all proposed names are suitable" for the position of prime minister. His remarks came after he was received by newly elected President Joseph Aoun ahead of binding parliamentary consultations set to begin Monday to appoint a new prime minister tasked with forming the next government.

President Aoun received a phone call midday from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who conveyed congratulations from King Salman bin Abdulaziz on his election as Lebanon’s president, according to a post on X from the Lebanese presidency’s official account. During the call, MBS invited Aoun to visit Saudi Arabia, an invitation the president accepted, stating that his first official foreign visit will be to the kingdom. Aoun remarked that this decision reflects Saudi Arabia’s longstanding support for Lebanon and affirms Lebanon’s Arab identity, which forms the basis of its ties with the Arab world.

Parliament’s responsibility

The Sunni religious leader reaffirmed to the president his community's commitment to a strong state and wished him success in his mandate. He also urged Aoun to fulfill the pledges made in his inauguration speech. "We hope the page of crises will be turned, and we emphasize the importance of adhering to the Taif Agreement and the Constitution," Derian said, according to MTV, Lebanon Debate and other local media outlets.

Derian called on Lebanese MPs to fulfill their duty during the upcoming consultations. "I expect them to choose the personality capable of leading the country in this new phase. All proposed names are good, but it is up to the MPs to make the distinction," he said. In Lebanon, the prime minister is traditionally a member of the Sunni Muslim community.

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Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian expressed hope that President Aoun’s term will be marked by justice, according to a post on X by the Lebanese presidency’s official account. "My only wish is that no oppressed person remains in Lebanese prisons," the mufti said, referring to detainees held without trial, some of whom are Islamists.

In response, Aoun stated, "I did not come to do politics. I came to build a state. And a state can only be founded on justice and equality among all components sharing a common identity." The president also expressed hope that a new government would be formed as quickly as possible to put the country back on track and restore trust with the international community. "What is needed is the intention to work for the good of Lebanon, not for personal interests," the president stressed.

Aoun further emphasized his intention to "seek external assistance without using external forces to pressure the internal situation." He added, "No community will benefit at the expense of another, and no individual will be given privileges over others."


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Hamadeh opts for Nawaf Salam

From his side, Marwan Hamadeh, an MP from the Democratic Gathering bloc led by Walid Jumblatt, expressed his support for jurist, academic and current president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Nawaf Salam as a candidate for prime minister, citing "new perspectives in Lebanon and the Middle East." According to comments reported by the National News Agency (NNA), Hamadeh urged newly elected President Aoun to "form a less partisan government than the previous one, which would promote a clearer separation between the legislative and executive branches." He added, "We hope President Joseph Aoun will not appoint the same type of ministers as those currently in the government."

Aoun was elected president on Thursday with 99 votes out of 128 in Parliament, ending more than two years of vacancy at the Baabda presidential palace. As Lebanon’s 14th president, Aoun has pledged to restore the authority of the state, enforce international agreements, and reestablish the state’s monopoly over armed forces, reducing the influence of militias.

Grand Mufti Derian offered his congratulations to newly elected President Aoun on Friday. During a phone call, the Sunni religious leader wished him "success in his new duties" to "preserve the country's security and stability by strengthening the role of constitutional institutions," while emphasizing "the importance of cooperating with brotherly and friendly nations." Derian also expressed his "full confidence in Joseph Aoun's competencies and values" and voiced hope for a successful presidential term.

Grand Mufti Abdel Latif Derian, Lebanon's highest Sunni authority, stated Saturday from the presidential palace in Baabda that "all proposed names are suitable" for the position of prime minister. His remarks came after he was received by newly elected President Joseph Aoun ahead of binding parliamentary consultations set to begin Monday to appoint a new prime minister tasked with forming the...