Prominent Sunni politician Tamam Salam is been nominated to become Lebanon’s next prime minister, ending a dangerous two-week power vacuum. His nomination was announced by the president’s office after he was backed by parties across the political spectrum, including Hezbollah. The last government resigned amid tensions over upcoming elections.

 

Political tensions have been exacerbated by the continuing conflict in neighbouring Syria. Syria has historically held great political influence in Lebanon, its much smaller neighbour. Many Sunni Muslims sympathise with the Syrian rebels, while the militant Shia movement Hezbollah and its supporters back President Bashar al-Assad. Lebanon’s outgoing Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, struggled to contain sectarian tensions, violence and economic problems resulting from the conflict. [Link]