The President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun, approved the composition of the new government of the republic, headed by Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. This was stated in a statement by the presidential office.
The cabinet, which is tasked with leading Lebanon out of the acute economic crisis and overcoming the devastating consequences of the Israeli aggression, includes 24 ministers, representing equally the Christian and Muslim communities in the country.
The President of the Republic signed a decree for the resignation of the government of Najib Mikati, who was acting prime minister.
The Secretary-General of the Cabinet, Mahmoud Mekia, told journalists gathered at the Baabda presidential palace that Youssef Raji (a Maronite Christian) has been appointed as the republic's foreign minister, while retired generals Ahmed al-Hajjar (a Sunni Muslim) and Michel Menassa (an Orthodox Christian) have been appointed as interior minister and defense minister. Yassin Jaber (a Shiite Muslim) has been approved as Minister of Finance.
According to Lebanon's confessional structure, the President of the Republic is elected by the Maronite Christian community, the post of Prime Minister belongs to the Sunnis, and the Speaker of Parliament belongs to the Shiites.