The speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani, has become the first foreign official to visit Lebanon since a new government was formed.

New Prime Minister Hassan Diab, who is backed by Tehran's allies, is trying to implement economic reforms.

Larijani said Iran stood ready to help Lebanon's struggling economy.

But as Beirut seeks to secure funds from the international community, Larijani's offer is unlikely to go down well with the United States - which is trying to counter Tehran's influence in the Middle East.

Al Jazeera's Zeina Khodr reports from Beirut, Lebanon.