Lebanese President Joseph Aoun began consultations with lawmakers on Monday to designate a prime minister in what political sources saw as a tight race between incumbent Najib Mikati and International Court of Justice President Nawaf Salam.

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.

A majority of Lebanon's lawmakers support International Court of Justice judge Nawaf Salam for prime minister, local media said Monday. Newly elected President Joseph Aoun has been holding consultations with lawmakers as he prepares to name the crisis-hit country's new head of government.

Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice, looked on course to become Lebanon's prime minister after more than half of lawmakers backed him for the post on Monday, reflecting the weakened position of Hezbollah which wanted Najib Mikati to keep the job.