The top judge at the International Court of Justice Nawaf Salam has been designated Lebanon’s next prime minister in a surprising turnaround for the crisis-ridden country.

The appointment of Nawaf Salam, the president of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as prime minister of Lebanon has many Lebanese feeling optimistic. His success in securing enough votes in parliament on Monday caps off a rapid period of political change after Joseph Aoun was elected president last week,

Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam has called for a new chapter in the country "rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunities" in his maiden speech. However, Mr Salam gave up his position as president of the International Court of Justice and arrived in Beirut on Tuesday morning,

The selection of Mr. Salam was seen as a blow to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group and political party that has acted as the real power in Lebanon for decades.

President Joseph Aoun summoned jurist Nawaf Salam on Monday to designate him as Lebanon's prime minister, after a majority of Lebanese lawmakers nominated him for the post. Salam, 71, is an attorney and judge who served as Lebanon's ambassador to the United Nations from 2007-17.

Consultations were held by Lebanon’s new President Joseph Aoun on January 13 regarding the new Prime Minister of Lebanon. Developments are moving fast after the election of Aoun last week. Lebanon has lacked a president for two years and Najib Mikati has been a caretaker Prime Minister of the country during that time.

Lebanon's Prime Minister-desgnate Nawaf Salam began non-binding parliamentary consultations on Wednesday to form his government, in discussions pivotal to the country's path forward. The talks are a preliminary step towards the establishment of an administration capable of addressing the myriad challenges facing Lebanon,