Iran 'won't block Lebanon' in ceasefire talks with Israel

Iran will back any decision taken by Lebanon in talks to secure a ceasefire with Israel, a senior Iranian official has said, signalling Tehran wants to see an end to a conflict that has dealt heavy blows to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah.

- MAYA GEBEILY, RIHAM ALKOUSAA

Ali Larijani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, spoke during a visit to Beirut as Israel kept up its intensified bombardment of Hezbollah-controlled areas of the Lebanese capital. Israel has stepped up airstrikes against the southern suburbs – an escalation that has coincided with indications of movement in US-led diplomatic contacts towards ending the conflict.

The US ambassador to Lebanon submitted a draft truce proposal on Thursday to Lebanon’s parliament speaker Nabih Berri, who is endorsed by Hezbollah in negotiations, two senior Lebanese political sources said.

The draft was Washington’s first written proposal to halt fighting between its ally Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah in at least several weeks, the sources said. They did not provide details about the contents of the proposal.

Mr Larijani told reporters Mr Berri had provided him with “good clarifications”.

“We are not looking to sabotage anything,” he added, responding to a reporter who asked whether he had come to Beirut to wreck the American draft. “We are after a solution to the problems. We support in all circumstances the Lebanese government. Those who are disrupting are Netanyahu and his people,” Mr Larijani said, referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Hezbollah was founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, and has been armed and financed by Tehran. A senior diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that more time was needed to agree a ceasefire but was hopeful it could be achieved.