Following the election of Army Commander Joseph Aoun as President of the Lebanese Republic, Judge Nawaf Salam was entrusted with forming a new government amid widespread hopes for a radical transformation of Lebanon’s collapsing political and economic landscape. However, this critical mission is anything but simple—it demands exceptional courage, unwavering resolve, and bold decisions that transcend the toxic political quotas and compromises that have devastated Lebanon for decades.
Judge Salam is expected to deliver on the people’s aspirations by forming a specialized and reformist government. This government must comprise competent, non-partisan experts who are free from sectarian and political loyalties. Its top priority should be implementing the recently agreed-upon ceasefire with Israel and enforcing international resolutions concerning Lebanon, particularly Resolution 1701. This resolution demands the disarmament of the terrorist militia Hezbollah and the restoration of the Lebanese state’s exclusive authority over all arms within its borders.
In addition to addressing Lebanon’s dire security needs, Salam’s government faces a staggering array of internal challenges. These include filling over 700 vacant state positions, such as the Army Command, the Governor of the Central Bank, the Director General of General Security, deputy ministers, and numerous judicial and administrative posts. The government must also spearhead comprehensive economic reforms to restore confidence in Lebanon’s financial system, recover $90 billion in stolen deposits, and empower the judiciary to pursue accountability for the catastrophic Beirut Port explosion.
Regrettably, rather than seizing this moment for transformative change, Salam appears to be stalling. Reports indicate that he is negotiating with the Shiite duo—Hezbollah and Nabih Berri’s Amal Movement—granting them shares in the government to appease their demands. This approach has profoundly disappointed Lebanese citizens, who expected Salam to reject any interference or conditions from these factions, which bear primary responsibility for Lebanon’s political and economic ruin.
The insistence of Nabih Berri and Hezbollah on retaining control over the Finance Ministry under the pretext of the so-called “third signature” poses a direct threat to the enforcement of international resolutions. It further entrenches Hezbollah’s grip on the state’s financial resources, despite international prohibitions on rearming or funding this terrorist organization. Should Salam succumb to these demands, it would constitute a blatant violation of Resolution 1701 and an outright betrayal of the Lebanese people’s hopes for national salvation.
In reality, there is no meaningful distinction between the Amal Movement and Hezbollah. Both serve Iran’s Supreme Leader, systematically dismantling Lebanon’s institutions to advance Tehran’s agenda. Nabih Berri, the master manipulator, has long exploited Lebanon’s political system for personal gain, and it appears that Salam has walked straight into one of his traps.
Now is the time for Nawaf Salam to rise to the occasion. He must demonstrate courage by rejecting the inclusion of the Shiite duo in his government and holding Hezbollah and the Amal Movement accountable for their role in destroying Lebanon. If he cannot form a government free of political horse-trading and partisan spoils, then his resignation is not just necessary—it is imperative.
Lebanon cannot endure more compromises or complacency. The nation requires a leader who places the people’s interests above all else, restoring sovereignty and the rule of law. Lebanon must break free from the grip of Hezbollah and Nabih Berri, whose destructive policies have inflicted poverty, chaos, and despair upon the nation. Judge Salam must either rise to meet this historic challenge or step aside to make way for someone who will.
