Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki is expected in Beirut later today in the first visit by an Iranian official to war-hit Lebanon since fighting broke out between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah guerrillas.

The leaders of Jordan and Egypt held an emergency meeting in Cairo today as thousands demonstrated across the Arab world against Israel’s expanding assault on Lebanon – the worst Israeli attack on its neighbour in 24 years.

Muslims across the Middle East – Sunnis and Shiites alike – largely ignored sectarian divides today to unite in condemnation of the the bombing that destroyed of the golden dome that graced one of Iraq’s holiest Shiite shrines.

Israel is to hand over the corpses of three Hezbollah guerrillas killed in this week’s border clashes to Lebanon.

Lebanon is demanding that Israel return the corpses of three Hezbollah guerrillas killed in this week’s border clashes, saying such a move was vital to restore calm to the area.

An Israeli hang glider inadvertently floated into south Lebanon today, sparking renewed clashes between Hezbollah and Israeli troops as the guerrillas tried to grab him and the soldiers covered his dash back across the border.

Hezbollah guerrillas clashed with Israeli soldiers on the southern Lebanese border today, reviving a two-day old confrontation that saw some of the heaviest fighting in years.