PARIS - Israel's strikes in Lebanon, including the bombardment of Beirut airport, were "a disproportionate act of war", French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said on Thursday.

Israeli aircraft attacked Beirut airport and killed 22 civilians in strikes in south Lebanon on Thursday, widening its reprisals after Lebanese Hizbollah guerrillas captured two soldiers in a border clash on Wednesday.

"For several hours, there has been a bombardment of an airport of an entirely sovereign country, a friend of France ... this is a disproportionate act of war," Douste-Blazy told Europe 1 radio station.

Douste-Blazy also condemned Hizbollah's firing of rockets into northern Israel and the kidnapping of the soldiers, saying these were "irresponsible acts".

"The only solution is a return to reason by both sides," he said. "We are calling for a lowering of tensions," he said.

France supported "Lebanon's demand for a referral to the United Nations Security Council as soon as possible", he said, adding the risk of a regional war "absolutely" existed.