Lebanon PM forms new government, pledges reforms

Weakening of dominant Hezbollah ends two years of rule by caretaker authorities

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Lebanon's Prime Minister named a new government on Feb 8, the presidency announced, with the weakening of long-dominant Hezbollah bringing to a close a two-year period of rule by caretaker authorities.

Premier Nawaf Salam said he hoped to head a "government of reform and salvation", pledging to rebuild trust with the international community after a devastating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, and 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 economic crisis, overseeing a fragile Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire and rebuilding the country.

"I hope this will be a government of reform and salvation," Mr 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.