European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the formation of a new government in Lebanon was a key step in dealing with the country's challenges, highlighting an "unprecedented refugee influx".

She expressed hope the government would maintain "peace and security in Lebanon including by the reassertion of a policy of dissociation from the Syrian conflict".

The Lebanese Army announced dismantling on Sunday an explosive-rigged car in the outskirts of the Ham town near the eastern Bekaa district of Hermel, a Hizbullah stronghold.

A military expert arrived at the scene to inspect a silver Toyota RAV4 vehicle after its driver abandoned it 600 meters before reaching an army checkpoint in the area.

Speaker Nabih Berri hailed on Sunday the “ongoing initiatives” by the Gulf state of Kuwait to support Lebanon, voicing hope that Muslims would consolidate ties.

Berri, who is currently in Kuwait on a two-day visit, discussed with the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed al-Sabah the conditions of the Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

Former Interior Minister Marwan Chabel was appointed as an Adviser on Military Affairs, An Nahar newspaper reported on Sunday.

According to the daily, President Michel Suleiman appointed Charbel in the post to benefit from his expertise in the field.

The United Nations Security Council and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the formation of the new Lebanese Cabinet, urging Premier Tammam Salam to act effectively to address the challenges facing Lebanon.

“The political leaders in Lebanon are encouraged to build the constructive engagement which led to the formation of the new government to ensure that the country's forthcoming presidential election is successfully conducted within the timeframe set by law,” Ban's spokesperson in New York quoted him as saying.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said his country hopes the new government will "address... urgent security, political and economic needs" after Prime Minister Tammam Salam's government was announced on Saturday nearly 11 months after his appointment.

Kerry listed the challenges ahead for Lebanon, including holding forthcoming presidential and parliamentary elections "in a timely, transparent, democratic and fair manner".

A fire swept through seven tents in a Syrian refugee camp in the southern city of Tyre, causing only material damage, the state-run National News Agency reported on Sunday.

According to the news agency, Civil Defense teams controlled the blaze and prevented it from reaching other tents.

Tammam Salam, who on Saturday became Lebanon's new prime minister at the head of a compromise government, is a moderate politician from a family with a long political history.

Salam is a son of Saeb Salam -- who himself held the job six times between 1952 and 1973 -- and a woman hailing from Damascus.

The protocol photo marking the formation of the country’s new cabinet has apparently been photoshopped to include Speaker Nabih Berri.

Al-Manar television said on Saturday night that as Interior Minister Nouhad Mashnouq and Social Affairs Minister Rashid Derbas, who were both nominated by al-Mustaqbal party, were late to the photo session, the official photo was taken without them.

Former General Security chief Maj. Gen. Jamil Sayyed announced on Saturday that he will be “cutting his ties” with the March 8 camp, following the appointment of the former Internal Security Forces chief as the new Justice Minister.

"I announce cutting communication ties with the March 8 camp,” Sayyed said in a released statement.