Syria's president has appointed a new prime minister following last month's parliamentary elections, Belfast Telegraph reported.

Riad Farid Hijab, a member of the ruling Baath party, was previously Syria's agriculture minister.

President Bashar Assad touted the May 7 elections as an example of the reforms he is bringing to the country.

But the opposition boycotted the vote and said it was orchestrated by the regime to strengthen Assad's grip on power.