Lebanon’s newly formed government, led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, must navigate deep economic and political crises, implement structural reforms, and balance internal contradictions while managing regional tensions and international relations

After more than two years of political deadlock and an economic crisis that has devastated the country, Lebanon has finally formed a new government. President Joseph Aoun announced the formation of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s cabinet, marking the first fully empowered government since 2022.

The newly appointed cabinet, composed of 24 ministers, now faces the task of drafting a policy statement that outlines its approach to addressing Lebanon’s deep-rooted crises. The government will need parliamentary approval to be fully functional, but Salam has already signaled his commitment to judicial and economic reforms, as well as efforts to stabilize the country following the recent conflict with Israel.

Ziad Abdel Samad, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Arab NGO Network for Development (ANND), expresses cautious optimism regarding the government’s potential. He notes, “The formation of this government is very significant. It’s the first time we have a cabinet that is outside the traditional political sectarian framework. This could be a real turning point for Lebanon.”

Salam, a diplomat and former president of the International Court of Justice, has pledged to restore trust in Lebanon’s institutions, which have been weakened by years of corruption and mismanagement. The new cabinet, composed of figures with diverse backgrounds in politics, law, economics, and public administration, is expected to prioritize structural reforms necessary to unlock long-awaited international financial aid.

However, Abdel Samad highlights the substantial challenges the government faces. “It’s important to remember that the government has a range of challenges ahead, particularly in international relations. First, it must uphold international resolutions, such as the ceasefire agreement and UN Resolutions 1559 and 1701, which are vital for regional stability,” he told NOW. “Only by achieving this can Lebanon rebuild trust with the international community and secure the funding needed for reconstruction.”

In addition to economic rehabilitation, the government must navigate Lebanon’s fragile security situation. The recent war between Hezbollah and Israel has left the country on edge, with a tenuous ceasefire in place. Hezbollah, once the dominant force in Lebanese politics, has suffered significant setbacks, including the loss of its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an Israeli airstrike.

Political activist Karim Safieddine points out that this government cannot be viewed as a unified entity but rather as a collection of contradictions and crises. “There are ministers within this government who may work effectively on specific files, and we must remain open to collaborating with figures like Nawaf Salam, who understand the importance of social movements and grassroots pressure,” he says. He also highlights the broader impact of this government, which brings together political forces that do not necessarily agree, raising concerns about whether it can avoid reproducing the deep sectarian divisions that have plagued Lebanon.

Abdel Samad also remarks on the nature of the cabinet, pointing out, “This government has a good balance of technocrats and experienced political figures. What is interesting is that, for the first time, ministers with political backgrounds are experts in their fields.”

“The government is also outside the framework of sectarian political division,” he continued. “The prime minister took the initiative to ensure that he suggested who the parties should nominate as ministers, except the minister of finance, whom Nabih Berri wanted for political reasons.”

The new government features a mix of seasoned politicians, technocrats, and newcomers. Among the key figures is Tarek Metri, a former Minister of Culture and Information, who has been appointed Deputy Prime Minister. The defense and interior portfolios are now held by retired army generals Michel Mnassa and Ahmad Al-Hajjar, respectively, signaling a security-focused approach.

Lebanon’s foreign relations will be overseen by Youssef Raji, the country’s former ambassador to Jordan, while former MP and Minister Yassine Jaber takes charge of the finance ministry. Other prominent appointments include Ghassan Salameh, a former UN envoy, as Minister of Culture, and Rima Karami, an expert in education policy, as Minister of Education.

Economic and structural reforms ahead

Beyond the political shifts, the government’s primary challenge remains the economy. Years of financial mismanagement, currency devaluation, and institutional corruption have plunged Lebanon into one of the worst economic crises in its history. With Amer Al-Bassat, a BlackRock executive, now leading the economy ministry, and Joe Saddi, a former senior executive at Booz & Company, overseeing energy, the administration hopes to implement long-awaited financial reforms.

Safieddine warns that without strong social movements, it will be difficult to pressure the government into enacting meaningful change. “Our role is to establish social movements because we cannot push forward key issues unless we have power on the ground,” he explains. He stresses that political activists must prepare for the 2026 elections, seeing them as a crucial moment for Lebanon’s political future.

Abdel Samad agrees, saying, “It is very necessary to have a reconciliation between the government and the society to ensure that any step it takes is supported and backed by the people.” 

Rebuilding trust and stability

As Lebanon embarks on this new chapter, the government will be closely watched for its ability to implement meaningful reforms and maintain stability. The road ahead remains uncertain, with the looming challenges of economic recovery, political divisions, and ongoing regional tensions. However, with a fresh set of leaders at the helm, there is cautious optimism that Lebanon might finally be on a path toward recovery.

Abdel Samad also highlights immediate challenges that must be addressed, including bank restructuring, polarization, illegal weapons, and socio-economic reforms. He notes that Lebanon’s international relations could be a mixed bag—while the government might maintain positive ties with Gulf countries, it could struggle with U.S. and World Bank expectations. “This government is in a suited situation to have good relations, unless Hezbollah takes a highly militaristic approach internally,” he said.

Abdel Samad also discusses the challenges within the government itself, noting: “The government is dealing with many challenges such as the restructuring of the bank and financial reorganization, as well as appointments. They need to confront the lobby of financial interests, which led to the failure of the Hassan Diab government. There were proposals for reforms, but they were not executed.”

The challenge of overcoming sectarianism and religious divisions remains significant. “The government will also face challenges from sectarian, religious, and political forces, who have been in power for 30 years in Lebanon. They will resist the proposed reforms, and this project of reform will face many challenges. The government needs to improve its relationship with the public, and it is very important to ensure there is reconciliation with society before taking any steps.”

The expert acknowledges that Lebanon’s new government faces both external and internal challenges. “There are also critical developments in the region, such as Trump’s call for the neutralization of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as the positions of Arab countries that have rejected the Saudi and Jordanian proposals. Additionally, there are international factors that will affect Lebanon’s internal state over time. These might hinder the government from responding effectively as it should.”

He also acknowledges how the choice of certain ministers, like the appointment of the finance minister, has affected public sentiment. “It is believed that the public mood in Lebanon shifted when they hired Joseph Aoun and appointed Nawaf Salam. Currently, the process of choosing ministers might have affected the public’s mood, especially with the choice of the finance minister.”

Despite these challenges, Abdel Samad recognizes that there is support for the government from some sectors of society. “The October 17 movement believes that this government is an extension of the October 17 revolution, so they want to work with this government. This is transitional, but the government needs to engage with these forces as well as with the others who share similar objectives.”

However, the expert also warns that the government must be cautious of internal resistance. “But there are also political forces that have the potential to weaken this government, so there needs to be balance in society to confront these forces that want to take down the government. Therefore, the government needs to protect its path by maintaining public support.”

Despite these complexities, Lebanon’s new government faces an uphill battle, with both domestic and international stakeholders monitoring its progress closely.