Israeli warplanes broke a large sound barrier over the Lebanese capital Beirut on Tuesday afternoon, leading to loud booms that sent people in the city running for cover, Lebanon's National News Agency reported.

Israeli warplanes reportedly broke the sound barrier three times over Beirut in less than 30 minutes, ahead of a speech by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, with witnesses saying they could see the planes with the naked eye.

(With input from agencies)