Nawaf Salam’s appointment as PM of Lebanon an important moment in its history
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s vision for Lebanon is rooted in justice, security, progress and equal opportunities. He pledged to address the difficult task of serving Lebanon, stressing the need for reconstruction efforts and the importance of inclusiveness and dialogue. His commitment to reconstruction after last year’s Israeli war reflects a new chapter in Lebanon’s history as it moves towards an era of prosperity.
By Tareq Yousef Al-Shumaimry
Judge Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s newly appointed Prime Minister, is a figure of great importance and respect.
Judge Nawaf Salam was born on 15 December, 1953 in Beirut, and belongs to a well-established political family. His grandfather Salim Salam was the founder of the ‘Reform Movement in Beirut,’ and was elected deputy for Beirut in 1912, and his father Abdullah Salam was one of the founders of the Lebanese Middle East Airlines.
His uncle Saeb Salam, known for his struggle for Lebanon’s independence from the French Mandate, also served as prime minister of Lebanon four times between 1952 and 1973. His cousin Tammam Salam assumed the presidency of the Lebanese government between 2014 and 2016.
Judge Salam’s academic journey is equally impressive, having studied at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, namely Sorbonne, Sciences Po, and Harvard University.
He holds multiple degrees in social sciences, history and law, and a doctorate in political science from Paris in 1992.
Professionally, Judge Nawaf Salam held important positions, starting as Professor of International Law at the American University of Beirut and then becoming Lebanon’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017. His diplomatic efforts during that period were full of great challenges, such as the effects of the Israeli aggression in 2006 and the establishment of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, in all of which he had a prominent and distinctive role.
Another important milestone in his career came in 2017, when the former diplomat moved to the field of international justice, specifically to the International Court of Justice, where he served as a judge and eventually became the head of the world’s highest judicial body,
During my tenure at the International Court of Justice, the Permanent International Court in The Hague, from 2013 to 2020, I was fortunate to have many interactions with Judge Nawaf Salam, following his appointment to the court in 2017, and I quickly realised that he was a wonderful and distinguished figure.
A man with tremendous integrity, he has earned respect for his firm and unwavering attitude on many issues. His leadership was prominent in the historic judgement against Israel—with the court upheld South Africa’s case accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza – one of the decisive moments in his term.
The appointment of Nawaf Salam as Prime Minister came after his name was presented for the second time in the binding parliamentary consultations with the President of the Republic—his name was put forward for the first time in 2022, when several deputies nominated him for the post of prime minister, but their attempt did not succeed at that time due to the political situation in that period. His present appointment as prime minister reflects a radical shift in the balance of power in Lebanon.
President Nawaf Salam’s vision for Lebanon is rooted in justice, security, progress and equal opportunities. He pledged to address the difficult task of serving Lebanon, stressing the need for reconstruction efforts and the importance of inclusiveness and dialogue. His commitment to reconstruction after last year’s Israeli war reflects a new chapter in Lebanon’s history as it moves towards an era of prosperity.
His distinguished career, academic achievements and commitment to justice and progress makes Judge Nawaf Salam an inspiring leader. As he prepares to overcome current challenges and stir Lebanon towards a brighter future, we wish him the very best.
Tareq Yousef AlShumaimry served as Counsellor, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Chairman of the General Budget Committee at the Permanent International Court in The Hague (PCA), observer in the Administrative Council and the International Court of Justice, and Advisor to the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Netherlands during this period from 2013 to 2020.
Tareq Yousef AlShumaimry, served as Chairman of the Finance Committee and Chairman of the General Budget Committee of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (PCA) and an observer in the Administrative Council of the Court and the Consular at International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in the Netherlands during this period from 2013 to 2020. Email: tareq@alshumaimry.com
