UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed support for the formation of a new government in Lebanon, reaffirming the international community’s commitment to the country’s “territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence,” according to a statement released on Sunday by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
“The United Nations looks forward to working closely with the new government on its priorities, including the continuation of the cessation of hostilities,” Dujarric said, referring to the ceasefire agreement signed between Lebanon and Israel on November 27. This agreement includes the deployment of Lebanon’s military alongside UN peacekeepers in the south as Israel pulls back over the next 60 days.
The formation of the new government comes after nearly two years of caretaker leadership, with the conflict between Hezbollah and Israeli forces since October 2023 contributing to Hezbollah’s weakening. This shift facilitated the rise of a new government under Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Salam now faces the critical task of overseeing the delicate Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and spearheading the country’s reconstruction. He has pledged to lead a “government of reform and salvation” and rebuild international trust following Lebanon’s severe economic crisis, attributed to corruption and mismanagement.
Hezbollah, once a dominant force in Lebanese politics, has suffered significant setbacks, including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in a September airstrike and the loss of its vital supply route from Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December. These developments contributed to the end of Lebanon’s political deadlock, enabling former army chief Joseph Aoun, believed to be favored by the US, to become president and Salam to assume office as prime minister.
