Nawaf Salam: Lebanon's New Light at the End of the Tunnel
January 14, 2025, 12:07 pm

Nawaf Salam: Lebanon's New Light at the End of the Tunnel

Maria Maalouf

In what feels like a fresh start for Lebanon's political scene, Nawaf Salam has been appointed as the new Prime Minister. This comes at a time when Lebanon is grappling with financial woes, political rifts, and external pressures. His selection followed extensive discussions among Lebanese parliamentarians, hinting at a possible new direction for the country's leadership, despite the regional complexities.

Salam hails from a lineage steeped in Lebanese politics. His grandfather was a prominent figure in the Ottoman Parliament, and his uncle served multiple terms as Prime Minister. This background has significantly shaped Salam's career. He's not just a political heir; he's also an academic powerhouse, with degrees from prestigious institutions like Sciences Po Paris, Harvard Law School, and Sorbonne University, giving him a broad and deep understanding of political and legal landscapes.

Before his current role, Salam was deeply involved in diplomacy and law. He served as Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations for a decade, where he held significant roles including the presidency of the Security Council. His work was centered on stabilizing Lebanon, particularly in the conflict-prone South. In a recent milestone, he was elected President of the International Court of Justice in 2024, leading until 2027, marking him as the first Lebanese to hold such a position, and he's been involved in pivotal international legal disputes.

The public's response to Salam's appointment is mixed. His international profile and scholarly background suggest he could be the reformer Lebanon needs. However, his previous statements, particularly concerning Israel, have ignited debate. His selection against Hezbollah's preference for Najib Mikati underscores a significant political shift within Lebanon.

The challenges ahead for Salam are monumental. Lebanon faces one of its worst economic crises, with the local currency plummeting and poverty on the rise. Political stagnation has left the country in a governance limbo. Salam's agenda includes government formation, economic revival, anti-corruption measures, and the reconstruction of the nation post-conflict.

Salam's vision appears to focus on transparency, reform, and restoring public trust in institutions. With his legal and diplomatic background, he might emphasize legal reforms, international cooperation, and the fight against corruption. He could also seek to leverage his global connections to secure aid and investments for Lebanon's recovery.

Nawaf Salam's emergence as Lebanon's Prime Minister symbolizes hope in a nation at a crossroads. His blend of experience, education, and political heritage offers a beacon for change. Yet, his success will depend on navigating Lebanon's complex sectarian politics, driving economic recovery, and uniting its diverse political factions. As Lebanon begins this new chapter, the world watches, eager to see if Salam can guide the country towards stability and prosperity.

By Maria Maalouf

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BENEFIT Sponsors Gulf Uni...

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.