Lebanon’s prime minister-designate vowed Tuesday to work on building a modern state in the crisis-hit country, saying his priorities will be to rebuild the destruction caused by a yearlong war with Israel and work on pulling the small nation out of its historic economic meltdown.

Lebanon's new prime minister, Nawaf Salam, called Tuesday for “serious” work to implement all points of the cessation of hostilities with Israel and acknowledged that post-war reconstruction will be one of the main challenges he will face during his term.

Salam is tasked with forming a government after two years of political deadlock, raising hopes for reform amid deep sectarian divisions