Premier of Lebanon

The Premier of Lebanon (Arabic: رئيس وزراء لبنان ra’īs wuzrā’ lubnān) is the head of government of the Lebanese Arab Republic, one of the 20 republics (federated states) of the Arab Union. The Premier of Lebanon chairs the Council of Ministers of Lebanon, the top executive body of government at the republican level and the cabinet of the Premier.

The Premier of Lebanon is elected indirectly: the Lebanese Arab Congress, Lebanon's unicameral legislative assembly, is elected every three years or immediately following the resignation of a premier and/or dissolution of his government. Following a congressional election, the political party or coalition holding the most seats in congress is eligible to form government, and nominates one of its members (typically its leader or another senior member) as Premier of Lebanon, who is subsequently ceremonially appointed to the position by the President of the Arab Union. The newly appointed Premier then selects individuals for each cabinet position, including the Deputy Premier of Lebanon and multiple ministers who each chair a particular ministry (executive department). Once appointed by the Premier, each minister in turn selects the directors of the multiple directorates and other agencies subordinate to their particular ministry.

The Premier of Lebanon and his government must maintain the confidence of the Lebanese Arab Congress in order to remain in office, as congress is constitutionally empowered to remove the incumbent Premier and/or dissolve his government by a simple vote of no confidence, which requires a majority of onlyi 51% to pass. The President of the Arab Union may also remove the Premier and/or dissolve his government via executive order. Following the removal of an incumbent premier and/or dissolution of government by either method, a fresh congressional election must be held within two weeks to choose a new government and premier.