China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has told Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib that China firmly supported Lebanon in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and strongly condemned violations after Israel’s large-scale airstrike.

According to AFP, Wang and Habib met in New York where they exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.

Wang said no matter how the situation changes, China would continue to stand on the “side of justice and on the side of Arab brothers, including Lebanon”.

“We pay close attention to the development of the regional situation, especially the recent explosion of communication equipment in Lebanon, and firmly oppose indiscriminate attacks on civilians,” Wang said, according to the statement.

The international community should form a clearer position, and regional countries should unite, “with the current situation a manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict”.