On February 9, 2025, a new 24-minister government was formed in Lebanon, headed by Nawaf Salam. President Joseph Aoun signed the decree to dissolve Najib Mikati’s government (which was considered a transitional government since June 2022) and the decree to form the new government.
Despite attempts to portray it otherwise, there is nothing new under the sun regarding Hezbollah’s participation and involvement in the new government. Similar to the previous government, the new government also includes five Shiite ministers, who were directly elected by the “Shiite Duo” (Hezbollah and Amal). As in the previous government, in the current government as well, the distribution of Shiite ministers is similar: 2 ministers on behalf of Hezbollah and three ministers on behalf of Amal. The high-budget Ministry of Health was transferred to one of the ministers on behalf of Hezbollah. The Ministry of Finance remained in the hands of the “Shiite Duo” (Amal).
The assertion that Hezbollah is not represented in the government is false. A primary strategy for isolating Hezbollah within Lebanon, i.e., the formation of a government excluding them—has failed.
The new government was invited to the Presidential Palace – Baabda to hold its first meeting on Tuesday (February 11) at eleven o’clock in the morning. This government is the 78th government since the independence of Lebanon and the 21st after the Taif Agreement that ended the Lebanese Civil War. The government is characterized by the fact that its ministers are professionals in their fields with some having worldwide experience.
In the formation of the government, an additional reform principle was adopted, which is expressed in the separation from the parliament, so that none of the ministers are members of parliament. In addition, the current ministers will not be able to run in the next parliamentary elections.
According to Salam, these steps give the government an opportunity to restore public trust in Lebanon and international trust in the Lebanese state, which may contribute to supporting efforts to save Lebanon from the current crisis.
After the announcement of the formation of the government, Prime Minister Salam emphasized that his government will be a government of reform and rescue. He noted that reform is the only way to extract Lebanon from its crises while ensuring its commitment to implementing Resolution 1701.
The Lebanese hold high expectations for the government to address their economic and social crises, despite the fact that it will effectively function as a transitional government until the parliamentary elections in 2026.
Furthermore, the new government is characterized by the absence of what is called the “blocking third,” which in the past was a reason for the paralysis of previous governments’ decisions or their overthrow. However, in the previous government, there was also no blocking third.
The Lebanese constitution stipulates that a two-thirds majority constitutes the legal quorum for convening a government meeting, and therefore any government meeting that does not provide the required number is not legal.
Indeed, based on this, political forces without a majority in parliament, particularly the “Shiite Duo” and their allies, insisted after the 2005 elections on receiving “one-third plus one” representation in governments. This was to prevent the passage of laws and decrees that contradicted their positions and allowed them to disrupt government meetings until its downfall due to their resignation.
The appointment of ministers
Several political parties appointed individuals to positions in the new government, while the rest were exclusively chosen by Salam.
For example, the Christian “Lebanese Forces” party, headed by Samir Geagea, appointed 4 individuals who took over the portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Energy, Communications and Industry. The “Kulluna Irada” organization, an independent Sunni factor, appointed two individuals who took over the portfolios of Interior and Social Welfare.
On the Shiite side, Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, were allowed to elect five ministers, including Finance Minister Yassin Jaber (Amal), Health Minister, Rakan Nasreddine (Hezbollah), Labor Minister, Muhammad Haidar (Hezbollah), Minister of Environment, Tamara a-Zin (Amal), and Minister of Administrative Development, Fadi Meki (Amal).
In the previous government, which was established on September 10, 2021, headed by Najib Mikati, which included 24 ministers, the Amal Movement and Hezbollah were also members: Minister of Finance, Youssef Khalil (Amal), Minister of Transportation and Public Works, Ali Hamia (Hezbollah, although he never identified himself in the name of the party), Minister of Labor, Mustafa Bayram (Hezbollah), Minister of Agriculture, Abbas al-Hajj Hassan (Amal), Minister of Culture, Muhammad Murtada (Amal).
The Ministry of Finance was one of the main obstacles that delayed the establishment of the new government, when Hezbollah and the Amal Movement insisted on keeping this portfolio with the “Shiite Duo”, as transpired in previous governments.
The Ministry of Finance is of central importance in Lebanon, as Lebanese law requires the signature of three important figures in most government decisions: the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of Finance.
This role gives the ministry great influence in the political and economic decision-making process in the country.
Despite the accusations against the new minister Yassin Jaber that he belongs to the Amal movement headed by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, Jaber denied his political affiliation.
In a previous journalistic interview, he said: “I was a member of the Development and Liberation bloc when I was a member of parliament, but I never belonged to any political party or movement. I am independent and I have no party affiliation.”
The largest Christian faction, the “Free Patriotic Movement”, chose not to join the new government, this faction was also the only one that voted against Joseph Aoun for the presidency.
Details on all the ministers in general and on the ministers on behalf of Hezbollah in particular – see the appendices.
A Government of Reforms and Great Expectations
Joseph Aoun expressed satisfaction with the formation of the new government and confirmed that its members are “non-partisan and will certainly be at the service of all Lebanese because their goal is the good of Lebanon.”
In light of the above, the President’s statement that the members of the government are non-partisan is, to say the least, inaccurate…
Aoun added that the establishment of the “Reform and Rescue” government was based on criteria of competence, experience, expertise, curriculum vitae and good reputation.
It should be noted that the list of elected ministers is indeed characterized by people with impressive skills.
The elected Prime Minister, Salam, said that the new government will implement economic reforms, which will bring the country closer to receiving funds for reconstruction and investment following last year’s devastating war between Israel and Hezbollah.
In a speech he delivered, Salam said that Lebanon will implement UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended a previous war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006.
He added: “While we announced the government that I hope will be the government of reform and rescue, it is important for me to emphasize the following points: Reform is the only way to real salvation.” He continued that the government will work to “ensure security and stability in Lebanon by completing the implementation of Resolution 1701 and the ceasefire agreement.” He concluded: “This government will strive to restore trust between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab environment and between Lebanon and the international community.”
The government is now required to formulate a policy statement that will determine the approach and priorities of the next government and then it will have to receive a vote of confidence from the parliament to receive its full powers.
The new government takes office after a long period of political vacuum and a severe socio-economic crisis in the country that was further exacerbated by the war. Alongside promises of reforms, the credibility and stability of the government faces a number of difficult challenges, including the construction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and state institutions. The lack of veto power by Hezbollah is an opportunity to work to weaken Hezbollah’s power in Lebanon and to promote reforms and decisions that were previously blocked by it. It remains to be seen whether the new government will seize the opportunity to contain real sovereignty over Lebanon.
Appendices:
The composition of the new Lebanese government is as follows:
- Deputy Prime Minister, Tarek Matri: Served as a minister in four successive governments between 2005 and 2011, where he served as Minister of Environment, Administrative Development, Culture and Communications, in addition to Acting Foreign Minister.
- Minister of National Defense, Michel Mansi: Retired officer, worked as Inspector General in the Ministry of Defense.
- Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, Youssef Raghi: Served as Chargé d’affaires at the Lebanese Embassy in Jordan, holds a degree in Communication and Political Communication from the French Institute of Journalism at the University of Paris II, and a master’s degree in political science and public administration from Saint Joseph University in Beirut.
- Minister of Communications, Charles Hage: Former President of the “Maronite Foundation for Distribution”, which is a non-governmental fund. Its goal is to strengthen the connection between emigrant Maronites and their homeland and encourage them to preserve the Lebanese identity and participate in the political and social life in Lebanon.
- Minister of Energy and Water, Joseph Saddi: Businessman. Former director at “Booz & Company” in the Middle East.
- Minister of Interior, Ahmed al-Hajjar: Retired Brigadier General in the army.
- Minister of Justice, Adel Nassar: Lawyer and legal advisor, former representative of Lebanon on the Arbitration Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce for three years.
- Minister of Culture, Gassan Salameh: Was a professor of political science at the Sorbonne University, and Minister of Culture between 2000 and 2003, also served as head of the UN mission to assist in Libya between 2017 and 2020.
- Minister of Industry, Joe Issa al-Khoury: Financial expert, led the Eurobond issuance program and the first share conversion warrants in Lebanon. He served on the boards of directors of institutions in the United States, Europe and the Gulf states.
- Minister of Economy and Trade, Amer al-Basat: Expert in the capital market.
- Minister of Agriculture, Nizar al-Hani: Director of the Shouf Cedar Reserve (the largest nature reserve in Lebanon), and holds a doctorate in agricultural sciences.
- Minister of Information, Paul Marcus: Lawyer specializing in appeals, President of the “Justicia Organization for Development and Human Rights” (a non-governmental organization), and President of the Studies and Banking Affairs Committee of the Beirut Bar Association since 2015.
- Minister of Public Works and Transport, Fayez Rasamny: CEO and Chairman of Rasamny Younes Motors “Rimco”.
- Minister of Refugees and Minister of State for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, Kamal Shahada: Leader in the communications and technology industry.
- Minister of Labor, Muhammad Haidar: Head of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the American University Hospital in Beirut.
- Minister of Administrative Development, Fadi Meki: Leading economist and pioneer in the field of applying behavioral economics to public policy in the Middle East, partner and CEO of “Boston Consulting Group” (BCG).
- Minister of Public Health, Rakan Nasreddine: Arterial surgeon at the American University Hospital in Beirut.
- Minister of Finance, Yassin Jaber: Former Deputy and Minister of Economy between 1996 and 1998.
This is a passage about the women in the new Lebanese government. Here is the translation:
Women in the new government
The government also includes five women, compared to one woman in the previous government, and these are:
- Minister of Education and Higher Education, Rima Karami: An expert lecturer in educational management, policy, and leadership, a partner lecturer and department head at the American University of Beirut.
- Minister of Environment, Tamara Al-Zain: President of the National Council for Scientific Research, and Chairperson of the Science Committee at the UNESCO General Conference.
- Minister of Youth and Sports, Noura Brikdarian: Lecturer and Head of the Department of International Relations at the Faculty of Law, Political Science and Administration at the Lebanese University, and lecturer at the American University of Beirut.
- Minister of Social Welfare, Hanin Al-Sayed: Senior expert in human development and social protection at the World Bank office in Beirut.
- Minister of Tourism, Laura Al-Khazen Lahoud: Director of the Boustan International Festival of Music and Arts. Considered one of the most important cultural and artistic festivals in Lebanon.
| Role | Minister’s Name | Sect | Political Party |
| Prime Minister | Nawaf Salam | Sunni | Independent |
| Deputy Prime Minister | Tarek Matri | Maronite | Independent |
| Minister of Defense | Michel Manassa | Orthodox | Independent |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants | Youssef Raghi | Maronite | Lebanese Forces |
| Minister of Interior and Municipalities | Ahmad Hajjar | Sunni | Independent |
| Minister of Finance | Yassin Jaber | Shiite | Appointed by the Amal Movement |
| Minister of Justice | Adel Nasser | Maronite | Lebanese Kataeb Party |
| Minister of Communications | Charles al-Hajj | Maronite | Lebanese Kataeb Party |
| Minister of Energy and Water | Joe Saddi | Maronite | Lebanese Forces |
| Minister of Public Works and Transport | Fayez Rasamny | Druze | Socialist Party |
| Minister of Education and Higher Education | Rima Karami | Sunni | National Accord Bloc |
| Minister of Public Health | Rakan Nasreddine | Shiite | Appointed by Hezbollah |
| Minister of Labor | Muhammad Haidar | Shiite | Appointed by Hezbollah |
| Minister of State for Social Affairs | Hanin al-Sayed | Sunni | Independent |
| Minister of Tourism | Laura Lahoud | Maronite | Independent |
| Minister of Economy and Trade | Amer Basat | Sunni | Independent |
| Minister of Information | Paul Marcus | Maronite | Independent |
| Minister of Emigrants and Minister of State for Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence | Kamal Shaada | Protestant | Lebanese Forces |
| Minister of Youth and Sports | Noura Birkadarian | Armenian Orthodox | Tashnak Party |
| Minister of Environment | Tamara al-Zain | Shiite | Appointed by the Amal Movement |
| Minister of State for Administrative Development | Fadi Meki | Shiite | Appointed by the Amal Movement |
| Minister of Agriculture | Nizar al-Hani | Druze | Socialist Party |
| Minister of Culture | Ghasan Salameh | Orthodox | Independent |
| Minister of Industry | Joe Issa al-Khoury | Maronite | Lebanese Forces |
Hezbollah Ministers in the New Government:
Minister of Health, Rakan Nasreddine:
A Lebanese doctor born in 1989. He studied medicine at the American University of Beirut, where he received his doctorate and specialized in infectious diseases and vascular surgery. Nasreddine is considered one of the leading doctors in his field in Lebanon. He worked as an academic physician at the American University of Beirut and contributed to several scientific studies and participated in professional conferences.
Minister of Labor, Muhammad Haidar:
A successful doctor and manager. He headed the Department of Nuclear Medicine at the American University of Beirut Medical Center for years. Haidar holds a doctorate in medicine with a specialization in nuclear medicine. In addition to his medical role, he participated in health and advisory committees regarding the organization of the health and education sector in Lebanon.
The appointment of two ministers from Hezbollah to the new government indicates the continued involvement of the party in the centers of power and influence in Lebanon.
