Caretaker Prime Minister of Lebanon Najib Mikati appears to be the leading candidate to once again head the country's government. According to the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, his candidacy has been endorsed by 63 out of 128 members of the Parliament ahead of consultations with parliamentary factions scheduled for Monday at the Baabda Palace. These consultations will be led by Lebanon's newly elected president, Joseph Aoun.
The report indicates that if the Christian bloc Strong Lebanon throws its support behind Mikati, he could secure 80 votes. It is widely anticipated that, following the consultations, the 69-year-old Sunni politician will be tasked with forming a new cabinet.
Mikati previously served as prime minister in 2005, again from 2011 to 2014, and has held the position since 2021. Following the end of President Michel Aoun's term on October 31, 2022, Mikati was entrusted with the responsibilities of acting head of state. On January 9, 2025, Joseph Aoun, commander of the Lebanese Armed Forces, was elected as the new president after securing 99 out of 128 votes in the second round of parliamentary elections.
Hailing from the northern city of Tripoli, Mikati is also a prominent businessman. Forbes ranks him as the 446th richest person in the world.
His main rival for the premiership is fellow Lebanese billionaire Fouad Makhzoumi, leader of the National Dialogue Party. On January 12, Makhzoumi was nominated by opposition factions, with at least 40 MPs, including members of the Christian Lebanese Forces party, expected to back him.
Another potential contender is Nawaf Salam, Lebanon’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2007–2017) and current President of the International Court of Justice, a position he assumed on February 6, 2024. Salam has expressed his willingness to run for the premiership if he garners sufficient parliamentary support.
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Photo: WAEL HAMZEH/EPA/TASS
Based on TASS materials