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.

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

Lebanese Prime Minister-deisgnate Nawaf Salam has called for a new chapter in Lebanon "rooted in justice, security, progress and opportunities" in his maiden speech. Mr Salam said his "hands are extended to everyone" and that he is opposed "to exclusion",