Lebanon’s new president, Joseph Aoun, has initiated binding parliamentary consultations to nominate a prime minister-designate for the next government.
The consultations began at 8:00 AM on Monday at Baabda Palace, where President Aoun is holding successive meetings with parliamentary blocs. The name of the prime minister-designate will be announced at the conclusion of these discussions.
A significant number of MPs backed Judge Nawaf Salam. Among his supporters were Adib Abdul Massih, Osama Saad, Michel Daher, Charbel Massaad, Paula Yacoubian, Ibrahim Mneimneh, Cynthia Zarazir, Melhem Khalaf, Halima Kaakour, Najat Saliba, Elias Jaradeh, and Firas Hamdan.
Mneimneh emphasized the strategic importance of Salam’s nomination to foster consensus and seize a rare opportunity. Zarazir and Khalaf underscored Salam’s independence and the need for fresh leadership outside the traditional political class.
Najib Mikati also garnered notable support. MPs Jean Talouzian, Abdul Rahman Bizri, Jihad Al-Samad, Bilal Al-Hashimi, Ghassan Skaff, Haidar Nasser, and Abdul Karim Kabbara endorsed him, with many citing his role in ensuring stability and continuity. Skaff described Mikati as the ideal figure to lead the first government under the new presidential term.
MP Elias Bou Saab refrained from naming any candidate, expressing concerns about escalating political divisions. Meanwhile, Jamil Al-Sayyed adopted a conditional stance, stating he would vote for Mikati only if his tally matched Nawaf Salam’s; otherwise, he would abstain.
The first round of these binding parliamentary consultations concluded with Nawaf Salam receiving 12 votes, while Najib Mikati secured 8 votes, including the vote from MP Jamil Al-Sayyed. One vote cast was recorded for “no one.”
The second and final phase will begin at 2:00 PM Beirut time.
Source: Al-Manar Website
