Cabinet of Nawaf Salam | |
|---|---|
 Cabinet of Lebanon | |
.jpg) Nawaf Salam in 2025 | |
| Date formed | 8 February 2025 (2025-02-08) |
| People and organisations | |
| President | Joseph Aoun |
| Head of government | Nawaf Salam |
| Deputy head of government | Tarek Mitri |
| No. of ministers | 24 |
| Totalno. of members | 24 |
| History | |
| Predecessor | Third Cabinet of Najib Mikati |
The new government ofLebanon was formed on 8 February 2025[1] after the election of former ICJ presidentNawaf Salam asprime minister of Lebanon on 13 January. Salam's cabinet succeededNajib Mikati's third cabinet, which had served in a caretaker capacity since May 2022.[2]
In the wake of theelection ofJoseph Aoun as president of Lebanon on 9 January 2025, multiple opposition MPs reached a consensus on nominating Salam as Prime Minister.[3] His candidacy is supported by many Western and Arab states, who call for his nomination, against current caretaker prime ministerNajib Mikati. TheHezbollah-led alliance backed Najib Mikati to maintain his premiership.[4] Other candidates includedFouad Makhzoumi, who initially had the backing of opposition MPs, former Interior MinisterAshraf Rifi and Beirut MPIbrahim Mneimneh.[5] On 13 January 2025, Salam was nominated by 84 out of 128 MPs, making him the Prime Minister-designate of Lebanon.[6] MPs from theLebanese Forces, theFree Patriotic Movement, theProgressive Socialist Party, the National Compatibility Bloc,Tashnag, theRenewal Bloc,Islamic Group and the opposition nominated Salam, while MPs from Hezbollah and Amal did not nominate anyone as they were last to announce their vote while Salam had an absolute majority.[7]
Hezbollah lawmakers attempted to postpone the election as they saw the momentum building behind Salam; this was rejected byJoseph Aoun. According to a source toReuters, Hezbollah believed a political understanding had been reached on Mikati's election before the group agreed to elect Aoun the previous week.[8] Hezbollah's parliamentary leaderMohammad Raad stated that Hezbollah "extended its hand" by helping to secure Aoun's election only to find the "hand cut off" accusing the opposition of fragmentation and exclusion from power in Lebanon.[9] Salam and Aoun's election is seen as a manifestation of Iran's and Hezbollah's diminished influence in Lebanese politics, partly due to Hezbollah's losses in therecent conflict with Israel and thefall of the Assad regime in Syria.[10][11] On 26 February 2025, Lebanon's government of Nawaf Salam won a confidence vote in parliament.[12]
Since established, the cabinet of Nawaf Salam is leading a path for comprehensive reforms in order to restore citizens' trust in the Lebanese state.[14] These reforms aim to remove Lebanon fromFATF's grey list, a move that will enable it to receive the financial aid it needs to reconstruct the country's economy.[15][16][17]
On April 2025 the Lebanese parliament approved a new law changing the rules on banking secrecy. It now allows certain groups, like independent auditors and financial regulators, to see banking records from the past 10 years. This is important for fighting corruption and meeting the requirements of theIMF.[18][19]
After nearly two years without a permanent central bank chief,Karim A. Souaid was appointed as governor ofBanque du Liban.[20][21] He stated he will help fight money laundering, restore order to the banking system and keep depositors' money safe.[22][23]
On July 14, 2025, Banque du Liban, had issued a circular prohibiting all licensed financial institutions from engaging in any direct or indirect dealings withAl‑Qard Al‑Hassan,Hezbollah’sIran backed financial arm, that is subject to U.S. sanctions.[24][25]
In April 2025, a Lebanese delegation participated in the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C., where it presented a unified reform vision aimed at addressing Lebanon’s protracted financial and economic crisis.[26] Following the meetings, Lebanon secured a $250 million loan from the World Bank to alleviate its chronic electricity shortages.[26] The funds will be used to improve electricity bill collection and invest in solar energy projects, potentially saving $40 million annually. This initiative is part of a broader $1 billion reconstruction program, with preliminary approval to increase the loan to $400 million.[27][28]
In January 2026 it was reported that the World Bank approved $350 million in new financing for Lebanon aimed at helping the country’s poor and vulnerable populations, strengthening social protection systems, and supporting digital transformation of public services as part of efforts to bolster Lebanon’s economic recovery. The package is split into two projects, $200 million for social safety net enhancement and $150 million for digital acceleration.[29][30]
On 5 September 2025, the cabinet lead by Nawaf Salam, met to review the Lebanese armyHomeland Shield Plan for weapon control presented by GeneralRodolphe Haykal, that focuses on thedisarmament of Hezbollah.[31][32] This decision has a strong international support of theU.S.,Saudi Arabia andFrance.[31][33][34] On 8 January, 2025, the Lebanese Forces stated that they have consolidated control in southern Lebanon and are ready to proceed to Phase 2.[35][36]
Army deployment and operational progress
Since the establishment of the new cabinet, The Lebanese Army has a significant presence in Southern Lebanon, and has according to reports, dismantled more than 500 Hezbollah sites.[37]
On 22 September, 2025 the Lebanese cabinet approved the 2026 budget. It is considered a major step in the economic reforms Lebanon going through. The budget key points are to achieve zero deficit, boost tax compliance, and improve revenues. The new budget does not impose new taxes, but will increase enforcement on the existing ones.[38][39][40]
On 2 October, 2025, it was reported that for the upcoming 2026 elections, the Lebanon's Foreign Ministry had launched a new online platform, for Lebanese diaspora to use for registration and then voting.[41]
Since established the Lebanese government increased its efforts to dismantle drug networks, one of Hezbollah's finance networks, achieving success with several raids. Authorities have exposed a smuggling network planning to export 6.5 million Captagon pills and around 720 kg of hashish toSaudi Arabia, they arrested the leader and his associates.[42][43][44] In one of the country's biggest bust, they conducted a raid inBaalbek, where the army seized 64 million Captagon pills, precursor chemicals, and drug‐manufacturing machinery.[45] Lebanese forces collaborated with regional forces to find and destroy a Captagon drug factory in theBekaa Valley, based on intel fromIraq and used joint intelligence centers withSyria,Jordan, and Iraq.[46][44]
In mid January 2026, it was reported by Haneen Sayed the more than 500,000 Syrian refugees have left Lebanon safely, retuning to their homes in Syria. He stated the government will continue doing so throughout 2026.[47]