President Joseph Aoun receives Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam in Baabda, Feb. 7, 2025. (Credit: Presidency of the Republic)
Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam are not giving in. Determined to form the first government of the mandate as quickly as possible, they are trying to resolve the issue of the fifth Shiite minister (in a team of 24). The two men are keen to appoint this minister (who will be in charge of Administrative Development) to prevent the Amal-Hezbollah duo (which has appointed the other four) from paralyzing the future team's work by causing a collective resignation of the Shiite ministers if necessary. After economist Lamia Moubayed faced a categorical refusal from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Aoun and Salam proposed former minister Nasser Saidi, who reportedly received Nabih Berri's go-ahead, but he declined the position. Read more In Beirut, Morgan Ortagus ushers in the American era Salam proposed to Berry, chief negotiator on behalf of the...
Joseph Aoun and Nawaf Salam are not giving in. Determined to form the first government of the mandate as quickly as possible, they are trying to resolve the issue of the fifth Shiite minister (in a team of 24). The two men are keen to appoint this minister (who will be in charge of Administrative Development) to prevent the Amal-Hezbollah duo (which has appointed the other four) from paralyzing the future team's work by causing a collective resignation of the Shiite ministers if necessary. After economist Lamia Moubayed faced a categorical refusal from Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Aoun and Salam proposed former minister Nasser Saidi, who reportedly received Nabih Berri's go-ahead, but he declined the position. Read more In Beirut, Morgan Ortagus ushers in the American era Salam proposed to Berry, chief negotiator on behalf of...