BEIRUT — The European Union welcomed the formation of a new government in Lebanon on Saturday, saying it was ready to help implement a reform program long called for by the international community.

“I warmly congratulate Lebanon on the formation of a new government and wish Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and his government every success,” European diplomatic chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.

“We stand ready to help the new government implement a reform-oriented and forward-looking program, and to relaunch the EU-Lebanon partnership by organizing an Association Council this year,” Kallas added.

A new government led by Nawaf Salam was formed in Lebanon on Saturday after several weeks of difficult negotiations, bringing to an end more than two years of interim governance in a country deeply scarred by the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Lebanese prime minister said he hoped his new government would be “a government of reform and salvation,” in a televised statement moments after the formation of his cabinet.

The international community has long urged Lebanon to implement reforms to unlock billions of dollars intended to stimulate an economy plagued since 2019 by a financial crisis.