ANKARA 

China on Sunday said it opposes the "infringement" on Lebanon’s sovereignty and security, and condemns any action against innocent civilians.

Beijing also opposes any move that fuels "antagonism" and escalates regional tensions, terming the tension between Lebanon and Israel a "spillover" of the Gaza conflict, said a statement from the Foreign Ministry on the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in an Israeli airstrike on Friday.

China, the statement added, is "closely" following the incident involving Nasrallah's assassination, and is "deeply" concerned over the escalation of tensions in the region.

"China urges parties concerned, especially Israel, to immediately take actions to cool down the situation and prevent the conflict from escalating or even spiraling out of control," it further said.

The "pressing" priority is to implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, end the fighting in Gaza as soon as possible, and earnestly safeguard peace and stability in the Middle East, the statement concluded.

Israeli forces launched large-scale airstrikes in Lebanon earlier this week, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. Tensions escalated further after Nasrallah and other Hezbollah commanders were killed in Beirut on Friday.