Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Tuesday his hands were "extended to everyone", in a gesture to the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group that accused opponents of seeking to exclude it by nominating him for the post.

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

By Laila Bassam and Tom Perry BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanese President Joseph Aoun summoned Nawaf Salam, head of the International Court of Justice, to designate him prime minister after most lawmakers nominated him on Monday,

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,