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'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,