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 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,

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.

Lebanon's newly elected President Joseph Aoun has designated Nawaf Salam, the head of the International Court of Justice, as the country's new prime minister

Technocrat and international jurist Nawaf Salam won the job just days after Lebanon named a president for the first time in two years.

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,