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.

Lebanon now has a new government in waiting for the first time in two years after Nawaf Salam was nominated for prime minister.

Salam says he is reaching out across the political spectrum in nod to Hezbollah, which opposed his nomination.