UN chief hails formation of new Lebanon governement, assures readiness for partnership
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres gestures while delivering a statement with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro at the end of their meeting in Sao Bento, the official PM residency, on November 27, 2024, in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has welcomed the formation of a new government in Lebanon, reaffirming the United Nations’ commitment to the country’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and political independence.
In a statement issued by spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Sunday, the UN expressed its readiness to work closely with Lebanon’s new leadership. “The United Nations looks forward to working in close partnership with the new government on its priorities, including the consolidation of the cessation of hostilities,” the statement read.
The ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, signed on November 27, requires Beirut’s military to deploy in the country’s south alongside UN peacekeepers, as Israel gradually withdraws over 60 days.
This follows months of clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah, which significantly weakened the militant group and facilitated the formation of a new government after nearly two years of political deadlock.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Nawaf Salam faces the challenging task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire and reviving Lebanon’s economy.
On Saturday, he pledged to lead a “government of reform and salvation,” aiming to restore international trust after years of economic turmoil caused by corruption and mismanagement.
The decline of Hezbollah, which suffered major losses in its conflict with Israel—including the death of its leader Hassan Nasrallah in a September airstrike—paved the way for the election of Joseph Aoun as president, a move widely seen as backed by Washington.
