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.

Saudi Arabia, France, and the US were viewed as possible players behind the scenes dealings that saw Salam selected among Lebanese parties as the next prime minister, sidestepping the Hezbollah-Amal bloc which expected Najib Mikati to be given the designation.