China said Wednesday it was willing to play a "constructive role" in rebuilding Libya, as it welcomed the establishment of a new government after the overthrow of strongman Moamer Kadhafi.

Beijing, which has substantial investments in Libya and had long helped prop up the Kadhafi regime before the uprising, said it would continue to seek friendly relations with Tripoli.

"The establishment of the Libyan provisional government signifies an important step forward in Libyan transitional politics. China welcomes this," the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"China will make efforts with the Libyan side to continually develop friendly Sino-Libyan relations and is willing to play a constructive role in rebuilding Libya."

The comments came after a human rights lawyer whose arrest sparked the uprising and former rebels who helped topple Kadhafi were handed key posts in a new government.

Interim prime minister Abdel Rahim al-Kib announced the cabinet line-up at a news conference just a month after the capture and killing of Kadhafi who ruled the country with an iron-fist for 42 years.

The National Transitional Council, whose fighters backed by NATO air support toppled Kadhafi in October, chose Kib, a little-known university professor from Tripoli, on October 31 to form an interim government.

China voiced opposition to the military action in Libya within the 15-member United Nations Security Council, although it did not block the resolution authorising the operation.