A senior Iranian cleric called on Muslim countries to provide all kinds of assistance, including weapons, to Lebanese Hezbollah to fight Israel, the local Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) reported Tuesday.

"We expect Muslim states to provide all kinds of support, especially arms, medicine and food, to Hezbollah," Ayatollah AhmadJannati, head of the powerful Guardian Council of the Constitution, was quoted as saying.

Israel and the United States have repeatedly accused Iran of providing Hezbollah with weapons, including missiles, in its fighting against the Jewish state.

Top Iranian officials have reiterated strong indignation at the Israeli offensives in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, calling on Islamic countries to be more active in an effort to stop the conflicts.

But they have also made it clear that Iran would not involve inthe current crisis in Lebanon militarily, vowing to continue diplomatic and political supports to Lebanon.

The Guardian Council, which is composed of six clerics and six jurists, is a constitutional watchdog to examine the compatibility of the legislation passed by the Majlis, or parliament, with Islam.

Violence between Israel and Lebanon's Shiite group Hezbollah erupted on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas in cross-border attacks.

Israel has waged a massive assault against Hezbollah while the Lebanese guerilla group has showered Israel with rockets.