Screenshot of the press conference on Feb. 12, 2025, following the transfer of power at the Ministry of Telecommunications, between the former minister Johnny Corm (right) and his successor, Charles Hage.
The transfer of power ceremonies in several key ministries for the Lebanese economy, namely finance, telecoms and public works, took place Wednesday in Beirut, following the first Cabinet meeting of the government formed on Saturday by Nawaf Salam.
The new finance minister, Yassine Jaber, appointed by the Amal Movement, made his first steps in the ministry previously led by Youssef Khalil, a former Banque du Liban (BDL) member, affiliated with Amal.
"Today, I pass the baton to Yassine Jaber, more than three years after taking over the finance portfolio from Minister Ghazi Wazni in September 2021, in the context of the worst financial crisis the country has experienced," said Khalil during the ceremony.
Khalil developed the first budget through which the state began, in 2022, the gradual alignment of the official rate with the 'black market' value of the Lebanese pound, which was still listed at its old value, before its drastic devaluation. "I am certain that the role of the Ministry of Finance will be pioneering in the next phase, marked by change and progress," he added.
"We have called this government a government of reform and rescue because without reform there is no future, and the country is unfortunately in a very difficult situation," stated Jaber, whose appointment to this ministry was one of the main demands of the Amal-Hezbollah duo. Addressing the international community, he was "determined to implement the necessary budgetary and structural reforms to restore confidence" and "enable Lebanon to once again envision a future of economic prosperity."
In telecommunications, Charles Hage (nominated by President Joseph Aoun) took over from Johnny Corm (Marada movement), under whose mandate the country began adjusting telecommunications and fixed mobile internet rates, which had also remained frozen at their pre-crisis levels.
Hage, former president of the Maronite Foundation Worldwide, emphasized the "essential" role of the ministry in economic growth, stating that he would ensure it is no longer only seen as an important source of state funding but a strategic quality sector capable of supporting economic activity.
The new minister also called to "enforce the law" on telecommunications No. 431 of 2002, which grants exclusive internet rights to the Lebanese state, and to make the fight against corruption a "priority," calling for the adoption of electronic governance.
At the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rassamny (allocated by the Progressive Socialist Party of Walid Joumblatt) took over from Ali Hamieh, affiliated with Hezbollah. Hamieh had been at the center of several highly publicized issues including the commissioning of public buses donated by France or the attempt to begin expansion works for Beirut's airport.
Praising the efforts made during his predecessor's term, Rassamny said he is committed to "fill vacant positions with the right people, without any favoritism," at the ministry, and to launch multiple projects, including the rehabilitation of public transport and the port of Beirut, partially destroyed more than four years after the explosion of Aug. 4, 2020.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Abbas Hajj Hassan handed over to Nizar Hani (nominated by the Progressive Socialist Party). Hani promised to compensate farmers for damages caused by Israeli attacks on Lebanon, but also "to expand cultivated areas and encourage food, plant and animal productivity" and to fight against the harmful effects of climate change and to "increase Lebanese exports and open up to new markets."
Other power transfers also took place on Wednesday. At the Ministry of the Displaced, Kamal Shehadeh (nominated by the Lebanese Forces) took over from Issam Charafeddine (Lebanese Democratic Party) and is also in charge of the Ministry of State for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence. Finally, at the Ministry of Administrative Reform, Fadi Makki (nominated by the president and prime minister) took over from Najla Riachi.
