Lebanon: Lebanese President Gen. Joseph Aoun has signed a decree endorsing a 24-member cabinet led by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Earlier today, he accepted the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Najib Mikati's government.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the new cabinet was announced by Secretary General of the Council of Ministers Mahmoud Makiya. The cabinet includes Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri, Minister of Defense Michel Mnassah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji, Minister of Tele-Communications Charles Hajj, and Minister of Energy and Water Joseph Saddi. Other key members are Minister of Interior Ahmed Al-Hajjar, Minister of Justice Adel Nassar, Minister of Finance Yassin Jaber, and Minister of Public Health Rakan Nassereddine.
Salam outlined his government's priorities, emphasizing its aim to "restore confidence between citizens and the state, between Lebanon and its Arab surroundings, and between Lebanon and the international community." He mentioned that the government would collaborate with the Parliament Council to implement the Taif Agreement and pursue financial and economic reforms, as reported by NNA.