The head of an American organisation focused on hostage releases said on Monday he believes U.S. journalist Austin Tice was still being held in Syria by people loyal to toppled leader Bashar al-Assad.

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.

Lebanon’s new president has asked prominent diplomat and jurist Nawaf Salam to form the country’s new government after Salam was named prime minister by a large number of legislators Monday. The move apparently angered the Hezbollah group and its allies.

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