Malaysia Airlines has announced the immediate suspension of return flights to Beirut, because the city's airport had been temporarily closed.

The national carrier's thrice-weekly Airbus A330 return services from Kuala Lumpur to Beirut via Dubai had been changed to Kuala Lumpur-Dubai-Kuala Lumpur until further notice, it said in a statement.

"Malaysia Airlines will resume its flights to the Lebanese capital once the airport is reopened," said the statement.

Air, sea blockade

The airline said departure times from Kuala Lumpur to Dubai had been revised and that it was reviewing overall operations for the route.

Beirut airport has been closed since early Thursday because of Israel's air strikes at the facility, part of an offensive against Lebanon.

Israel has imposed an air and sea blockade on Lebanon and also hit the main highway between Beirut and Damascus, virtually cutting off its northern neighbour from the outside world.

Israel's assault, which has killed at least 60 civilians, is in retaliation for the killing and capture of Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerrillas on Wednesday.