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    Lebanon’s president names Nawaf Salam prime minister

    BEIRUT (AFP) – Lebanese President Joseph Aoun picked international jurist Nawaf Salam to form a government to pull the war-scarred country out of economic crisis.

    A majority of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed Salam, the presiding judge at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, after two years of a caretaker government.

    “The president of the republic has called on Judge Nawaf Salam to task him with forming a government,” the presidency said. Aoun, whose election last week ended a two-year vacancy for the post, had held consultations with lawmakers earlier in the day ahead of announcing his selection. Eighty four Members of Parliament had told Aoun they backed Salam, according to a tally by Lebanese media, with nine endorsing interim prime minister Najib Mikati to stay in the position.

    Thirty-five refused to back either contender. With the prime minister named by the president, the eastern Mediterranean country had been run by a caretaker government for more than two years amid a crushing economic crisis.

    Aoun’s election last week was made possible in part by the weakening of militant group Hezbollah in a war with Israel last year.

    Speaking to the press, Aoun said he hoped forming a government would be “smooth and as quick as possible”.

    Lebanese celebrate the nomination of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam at Martyrs’ Square in Beirut. PHOTO: AFP
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