Lebanese leader asks Iran to help secure a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel

We are not looking to sabotage anything. We are after a solution to the problems."

Asked at a news conference whether he had come to Beirut to undermine the U.S. truce plan, Larijani said

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,

Larijani said, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

We are not trying to blow up any effort but we want to solve the problem and we will stand by Lebanon, whatever the circumstances.”

Asked if he was visiting to try and thwart U.S. efforts to end the Israel-Hezbollah war, Larijani said

Nabih Berriparliament Speaker

The main aim of our visit is to loudly say that we will stand by Lebanon’s government and people,

Larijani told reporters after separate meetings with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati

Efforts to reach a diplomatic deal are ongoing."

When asked about the proposal, a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Beirut said

We say God help us,

said Ayat, a 33-year-old Lebanese woman

I think we are at a point that we are closer to an arrangement than we have been since the start of the war”.

He told Reuters

We are waiting, and God willing, soon there will be the draft that he has reached,

he said

This compounds five years of sustained sharp economic contraction in Lebanon that has exceeded 34 percent of real GDP, losing the equivalent of 15 years of economic growth,

the World Bank said

The final cost of damage and losses for Lebanon associated with the conflict is expected to significantly exceed those presented in this assessment,

the report said

I woke up to the bombing at 2:30 am and was surprised by the rubble and glass falling on me and my children,

said Mohamed Baraka,

My dad was sleeping here with them,

said Suzanne Karkaba, herself a rescuer

Naim Qassemdeputy leader

Hamas is ready to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip if a ceasefire proposal is presented and on the condition that it is respected

by Israel, Doha-based Hamas political bureau member Bassem Naim told AFP

Now it's my turn to pick up the pieces of my dad,

she said with tears in her eyes