Malaysia on today slammed Israel's use of force against Lebanon and called on the international community to step in to stop the violence.

Malaysia, the current chair of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) does not have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar described the bombing of Beirut's international airport as "irresponsible" and urged Israel to stop the attacks on civilian targets in Lebanon and in the Palestinian territories.

"We urge the international community to intervene to stop the violence," he said in a statement.

Israeli planes bombed Beirut's airport early on Thursday and conducted a series of raids in response to a Hezbollah attack in which two Israeli soldiers were captured.

Twenty eight civilians have been killed in the raids.