Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has discussed a “deconfliction mechanism” for the country with United States Vice President JD Vance and the Qatari prime minister.

The phone call on Monday focused on consolidating the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the Lebanese presidency said in a statement. The hostilities between the pair have seen the Israeli military occupy parts of southern Lebanon and launch repeated air raids while Hezbollah has attacked northern Israel.


Vance & Rubio Discuss Post-Ceasefire Arrangements in Lebanon

Lebanon faces a deep political and security crisis as Hezbollah rejects direct negotiations with Israel, calling them a 'grave sin', while President Joseph Aoun pushes for diplomacy to end decades of conflict. Despite a ceasefire, Israeli strikes continue across southern Lebanon, raising fears of renewed escalation. Is Lebanon heading towards peace or full blown war?


Israel-Lebanon War: Hezbollah Rejects Peace Talks, Vows to Confront Israel

Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed 14 people on Sunday, April 26, 2026, marking the deadliest day since a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect on April 17. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun criticized Hezbollah for dragging the country into a regional war, calling its actions "treason," amid ongoing Israeli violations of the truce. 


Israel Strikes South Lebanon Killing 14, Lebanon Prez Accuses Hezbollah of Plunging Country Into War

Lebanon's premier named a new government Saturday, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah following a war with Israel bringing to a close more than two years of caretaker authorities.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement.
His new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms needed to unlock funding from international donors after years of crisis, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/woman-arrested-for-tearing-down-us-flag-replacing-it-with-mexican-flag-at-california-park-8703435">Woman arrested for tearing down US flag, replacing it with Mexican flag at California park</a>
"I hope this will be a government of reform and salvation," Salam said in a televised statement moments after his cabinet was announced.
His government will strive to "restore trust between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surrounding, and between Lebanon and the international community," he said.
President Joseph Aoun signed a decree "to form a government of 24 ministers", the presidency said in a post on X.
Before the new government can exercise its powers, it needs to draft a ministerial statement that must be submitted to a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days.
Lebanon's 128-seat parliament is mostly dominated by traditional, sectarian-based parties.
The government will hold its first session on Tuesday morning, the presidency said in a post on X.
<h2>'Reformist agenda'</h2>
The new government includes five women, among them Tamara Elzein, who has been secretary-general of Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research, and Haneen Sayed, who has worked as a specialist for the World Bank.
It also includes well-known figures like Ghassan Salame, a former United Nations envoy to Libya.
Former lawmaker Yassine Jaber, who has close ties to Hezbollah ally the Amal movement, was named finance minister -- a strategic portfolio long dominated by the two parties.
His naming had been leaked and criticised by some as a boon for powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads Amal.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indian-man-arrested-by-us-immigration-authorities-over-sexual-assault-charges-8703439">Indian man arrested by US immigration authorities over sexual assault charges</a>
Long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah suffered staggering losses in a war with Israel that saw its leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in a massive air strike in September.
Hezbollah suffered another seismic blow with the ouster on December 8 of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which it had long used as its weapons lifeline from Iran.
After more than two years of political stalemate, the weakening of Hezbollah allowed former army chief Aoun, widely believed to be Washington's preferred candidate, to be elected president and Salam approved as his premier.
The US embassy in Beirut welcomed the government formation, adding that "the Lebanese people deserve a government that will rebuild Lebanese state institutions, fight corruption, and implement needed reforms".
A day earlier, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus warned against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government &nbsp;after meeting Aoun in Beirut, saying the group was "defeated" in its war with Israel.
European Union ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele welcomed Salam's "commitment that it (the government) will have a reformist agenda," which she said is "necessary for Lebanon's future".
<h2>'Brighter chapter'</h2>
The international community has long demanded reforms to unlock financial aid after Lebanon's economic meltdown began in 2019.
Political deadlock had left Lebanon without a president for more than two years until Aoun's election.
Salam formed a government in less than a month in a country where such endeavours often take months of political horse trading.
The office of UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said "today's government formation heralds a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon".
Salam said he named his ministers after consulting with leaders in a country where power has long been shared according to sectarian quotas.
The new government will have to review agreements including with the International Monetary Fund and prepare for parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement.

Lebanon's premier named a new government Saturday, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah following a war with Israel bringing to a close more than two years of caretaker authorities. Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after years of economic collapse blamed on corruption and mismanagement. His new government faces the daunting task of implementing reforms needed to unlock funding from international donors after years of crisis, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country. Also read: Woman arrested for tearing down US flag, replacing it with Mexican flag at California park "I hope this will be a government of reform and salvation," Salam said in a televised statement moments after his cabinet was announced. His government will strive to "restore trust between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surrounding, and between Lebanon and the international community," he said. President Joseph Aoun signed a decree "to form a government of 24 ministers", the presidency said in a post on X. Before the new government can exercise its powers, it needs to draft a ministerial statement that must be submitted to a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days. Lebanon's 128-seat parliament is mostly dominated by traditional, sectarian-based parties. The government will hold its first session on Tuesday morning, the presidency said in a post on X. 'Reformist agenda' The new government includes five women, among them Tamara Elzein, who has been secretary-general of Lebanon's National Council for Scientific Research, and Haneen Sayed, who has worked as a specialist for the World Bank. It also includes well-known figures like Ghassan Salame, a former United Nations envoy to Libya. Former lawmaker Yassine Jaber, who has close ties to Hezbollah ally the Amal movement, was named finance minister -- a strategic portfolio long dominated by the two parties. His naming had been leaked and criticised by some as a boon for powerful parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who heads Amal. Also read: Indian man arrested by US immigration authorities over sexual assault charges Long the dominant force in Lebanese politics, Hezbollah suffered staggering losses in a war with Israel that saw its leader Hassan Nasrallah killed in a massive air strike in September. Hezbollah suffered another seismic blow with the ouster on December 8 of Bashar al-Assad in Syria, which it had long used as its weapons lifeline from Iran. After more than two years of political stalemate, the weakening of Hezbollah allowed former army chief Aoun, widely believed to be Washington's preferred candidate, to be elected president and Salam approved as his premier. The US embassy in Beirut welcomed the government formation, adding that "the Lebanese people deserve a government that will rebuild Lebanese state institutions, fight corruption, and implement needed reforms". A day earlier, US Deputy Special Envoy for the Middle East Morgan Ortagus warned against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government after meeting Aoun in Beirut, saying the group was "defeated" in its war with Israel. European Union ambassador to Lebanon Sandra De Waele welcomed Salam's "commitment that it (the government) will have a reformist agenda," which she said is "necessary for Lebanon's future". 'Brighter chapter' The international community has long demanded reforms to unlock financial aid after Lebanon's economic meltdown began in 2019. Political deadlock had left Lebanon without a president for more than two years until Aoun's election. Salam formed a government in less than a month in a country where such endeavours often take months of political horse trading. The office of UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert said "today's government formation heralds a new and brighter chapter for Lebanon". Salam said he named his ministers after consulting with leaders in a country where power has long been shared according to sectarian quotas. The new government will have to review agreements including with the International Monetary Fund and prepare for parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Lebanon forms new government, PM Nawaf Salam vows ‘reform and salvation’

Lebanon’s new president Joseph Aoun said that Israel must withdraw from occupied territories in his country’s south by the January 26 deadline set in the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire agreement.

Lebanon's President demands withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern territories

After consulting with lawmakers, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Monday appointed Nawaf Salam prime minister of the crisis-hit country. Watch this report for more details!

Lebanon President Aoun appoints new Prime Minister Nawaf Salam

Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun appointed veteran diplomat Nawaf Salam as the new prime minister of Lebanon on Monday (Jan 13) amid the ongoing economic crisis in the war-torn country.&nbsp;
Salam was picked after a majority of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed him and he received the necessary votes in parliament.&nbsp;
Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/icj-judge-nawaf-salam-appointed-as-lebanon-prime-minister-by-president-joseph-aoun-8619298" rel="dofollow"> ICJ judge Nawaf Salam appointed as Lebanon Prime Minister by President Joseph Aoun</a>
He will be tasked with forming a new government, which will potentially face significant challenges amid the ongoing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/west-asia-crisis" rel="dofollow">West Asia crisis</a>.&nbsp;
<h2>Who is Nawaf Salam?</h2>
Nawaf Salam, a 53-year-old veteran diplomat, was born in Beirut. He is currently serving as President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's top court that recently ruled that Israel was plausibly committing genocide in Gaza.&nbsp;
After being appointed as the ICJ president, Salam was called "anti-Israel" due to his previous criticisms of Israel's illegal and brutal occupation of the Palestinian territories.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-elects-army-chief-joseph-aoun-as-president-amid-west-asia-unrest-8605349" rel="dofollow">Who is Joseph Aoun? Lebanon&rsquo;s new US-backed President</a>
He earned his degree in Social Sciences from the School of Graduate Studies in Paris in 1974, followed by a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne University in Paris in 1979.
Later, he did his Masters in Law from Harvard Law School in 1991. He is married to Sahar Baassiri, who is a journalist and Lebanon's ambassador to UNESCO.&nbsp;
Salam's father, Abdullah Salam was one of the founders of the Lebanese national airline, Middle East Airlines.
Moreover, his uncle Saeb Salam was the prime minister of Lebanon four times between 1952 and 1973.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-divert-95-million-military-aid-to-lebanon-from-egypt-8600781" rel="dofollow">US to divert $95 million military aid to Lebanon from Egypt</a>
Salam was also the Representative of Lebanon to the UN Economic and Social Council in 2016 and 2018.
In the country, he is popular for his opposition to Hezbollah as an independent, reformist, who insists on restricting the right to use weapons to the national military and security agencies solely responsible for protecting Lebanese territory.
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

World: Nawaf Salam was picked as Lebanon new prime minister after a majority of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed him and he received the necessary votes in parliament. 

Lebanese President-elect Joseph Aoun appointed veteran diplomat Nawaf Salam as the new prime minister of Lebanon on Monday (Jan 13) amid the ongoing economic crisis in the war-torn country. Salam was picked after a majority of Lebanese lawmakers endorsed him and he received the necessary votes in parliament. Also read: ICJ judge Nawaf Salam appointed as Lebanon Prime Minister by President Joseph Aoun He will be tasked with forming a new government, which will potentially face significant challenges amid the ongoing West Asia crisis. Who is Nawaf Salam? Nawaf Salam, a 53-year-old veteran diplomat, was born in Beirut. He is currently serving as President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the UN's top court that recently ruled that Israel was plausibly committing genocide in Gaza. After being appointed as the ICJ president, Salam was called "anti-Israel" due to his previous criticisms of Israel's illegal and brutal occupation of the Palestinian territories. Also read: Who is Joseph Aoun? Lebanon’s new US-backed President He earned his degree in Social Sciences from the School of Graduate Studies in Paris in 1974, followed by a doctorate in history from the Sorbonne University in Paris in 1979. Later, he did his Masters in Law from Harvard Law School in 1991. He is married to Sahar Baassiri, who is a journalist and Lebanon's ambassador to UNESCO. Salam's father, Abdullah Salam was one of the founders of the Lebanese national airline, Middle East Airlines. Moreover, his uncle Saeb Salam was the prime minister of Lebanon four times between 1952 and 1973. Also read: US to divert $95 million military aid to Lebanon from Egypt Salam was also the Representative of Lebanon to the UN Economic and Social Council in 2016 and 2018. In the country, he is popular for his opposition to Hezbollah as an independent, reformist, who insists on restricting the right to use weapons to the national military and security agencies solely responsible for protecting Lebanese territory. (With inputs from agencies)

Who is Nawaf Salam? ICJ president turned Lebanon's new prime minister

Joseph Aoun, the Lebanese Army Chief, has been elected as the new president of Lebanon. His election marks a significant political development for the country amid ongoing challenges. Aoun’s leadership is seen as crucial for stabilizing Lebanon's political and economic situation.

Joseph Aoun elected as Lebanon’s new President after Army chief appointment

joseph-aoun

Joseph Aoun, News on Joseph Aoun, stories on Joseph Aoun, articles on Joseph Aoun, Joseph Aoun stories at Wion, Joseph Aoun news, Joseph Aoun latest news

joseph aoun