An Israeli missile strike on Beirut's international airport Thursday morning left at least 27 Lebanese, including 10 children killed. Radical movement Hizbollah took two Israeli hostages Wednesday after killing seven Israelis in fighting.
"The attack on Lebanon's airport is a dangerous step toward military escalation," ministry spokesman Mikhail Kamynin said, adding that Russia firmly supported Lebanon's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He also called for the "immediate and unconditional" release of the Israeli hostages taken by Hizbollah.
Kamynin said both sides should take urgent action to prevent an open conflict in the Middle East.
"Most importantly, it is necessary to prevent any steps that would provoke involving new sides in the confrontation," he added.
