Lebanon names Tamam Salam, pro-Western Sunni, as PM

A pro-Western Sunni politician, Tamam Salam, has been nominated to become Lebanon's next prime minister, ending a dangerous power vacuum.

His nomination was announced by the president's office after it was backed by parties across the political spectrum, including Hezbollah.

The last government resigned just over two weeks ago when it split over arrangements for elections in June.

Lebanon has been gripped by a political crisis linked to the Syrian conflict.

Many Sunni Muslims sympathise with the rebels there while the militant Shia movement Hezbollah supports President Bashar al-Assad.

Lebanon's outgoing Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, struggled to contain sectarian tensions, violence and economic problems which resulted from the war across the border.

Mr Salam's immediate challenge is to prepare for the parliamentary elections.