Lebanese President Joseph Aoun appointed Nawaf Salam, president of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, as prime minister after consultations with lawmakers, AFP reports.
A majority of Lebanese lawmakers backed Nawaf Salam after a two-year caretaker government.
"The president of the republic approached Judge Nawaf Salam to entrust him with forming a government, knowing that he is currently abroad. It has been decided that he will return tomorrow," the presidency said.
Aoun, whose election last week ended a two-year vacancy in the post, held consultations with lawmakers before announcing his candidate.
By the afternoon of January 13, 84 members of parliament had told Aoun they supported Salam, according to a count by Lebanese media. Nine had backed Najib Mikati, who was serving as caretaker prime minister.
Aoun's election last week was made possible in part by the weakening of the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in its war with Israel.
Lebanon has been ruled by a caretaker government for more than two years amid a crushing economic crisis.
Under Lebanon's system of separation of powers, the president must be a Maronite Christian, the prime minister a Sunni Muslim and the speaker of parliament a Shiite Muslim. | BGNES
