Newly elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun will start consultations with members of parliament on January 13 to propose a new prime minister, the presidency announced Friday. The proposal will start the process of forming a government in Lebanon, where such a process usually takes several months.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati is considered a leading candidate, though opposition MP Fouad Makhzoumi is reportedly gaining support from some lawmakers, according to political sources. Under Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing structure, the prime minister’s role is designated for a Sunni Muslim, the presidency for a Maronite Christian, and the parliamentary speaker for a Shi’ite Muslim.
Aoun, elected as president on Thursday after the position had been vacant since October 2022, is a former army chief with backing from the United States. His election reflects a shift in influence away from the Iran-backed Hezbollah group following its conflict with Israel.
In the first speech of his presidency, Aoun stressed the state’s right to disarm. Caretaker Prime Minister Mikati said this would be accomplished in southern Lebanon and lead to disarmament throughout the country so that the government’s authority is consolidated.
This follows a reported November ceasefire deal between Lebanon and Israel that requires anyone armed to only be a soldier or security forces member. As agreed, such requirements fall into place with a UN Security Council Resolution 1701 that recommends all armed factions in Lebanon disengage from all forms of arming.
