Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam receives members of the Democratic Gathering at Parliament on Jan. 15, 2025. (Photo from the Parliament's Flickr account)
“The country must move forward.” This brief statement from Nabih Berri, made in an interview with local channel LBCI, captured the stance of the Amal-Hezbollah alliance regarding the formation of the next government. Two days after Nawaf Salam was appointed prime minister-designate, defeating Najib Mikati, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement boycotted the non-binding parliamentary consultations Salam held on Wednesday to form his cabinet. This minor “retaliation” carries a strong message for Salam, President Joseph Aoun, and, above all, Saudi Arabia.But does this mean the two allied parties are already obstructing the new administration? For now, they appear to have chosen a measured response, avoiding burning bridges with the president and prime minister-designate.Sources close to the alliance explained that skipping the consultations does...
“The country must move forward.” This brief statement from Nabih Berri, made in an interview with local channel LBCI, captured the stance of the Amal-Hezbollah alliance regarding the formation of the next government. Two days after Nawaf Salam was appointed prime minister-designate, defeating Najib Mikati, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement boycotted the non-binding parliamentary consultations Salam held on Wednesday to form his cabinet. This minor “retaliation” carries a strong message for Salam, President Joseph Aoun, and, above all, Saudi Arabia.But does this mean the two allied parties are already obstructing the new administration? For now, they appear to have chosen a measured response, avoiding burning bridges with the president and prime minister-designate.Sources close to the alliance explained that skipping the...
