BEIJING, January 19 (Itar-Tass) — China supports Russia’s new draft resolution on Syria, Chinese Foreign Ministry Liu Wenmin told a news briefing.
“China upholds Russia’s constructive efforts aimed at settling the Syrian crisis and it is ready to continue participating in corresponding consultations based on Russia’s draft resolution that was submitted to the U.N. Security Council,” the Chinese diplomat said.
“China calls on all parties in Syria to cooperate with the League of Arab States (LAS), to cease violence as soon as possible, to start a political process and carry out political reforms in order to overcome disagreements,” Liu Wenmin said. In addition, Beijing “backs the resolution of the Syrian issue within the LAS and supports constructive efforts taken by this organization”, the diplomat said.
He also expressed hope that LAS observers would continue their work in Syria.
Commenting on the U.N. Security Council, Liu said discussions on the draft resolution on Syria “should facilitate easing tension in the country, promote the political dialogue and reduce disagreements, ensure peace and stability in the Middle East”.
On January 16, Russia submitted a new version of the resolution on Syria in the U.N. Security Council under which all parties involved in the conflict called for ceasing violence, starting talks and the nationwide political dialogue.
On January 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow calls for political settlement in Syria and "immediate beginning of inclusive national dialogue."
China and other BRICS countries support this position," the minister told a news conference which summed up the results of the Foreign Ministry’s work in 2011.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s support for the observer mission of the League of Arab States in Syria.
"The situation in Syria causes particular concern today. We insist on the necessity of political settlement, supporting the efforts which the LAG observer mission is making. We believe it is necessity to stop any violence in Syria, regardless where it emanates from," he said.
Lavrov also warned against improvised interpretation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.
On Monday, January 16, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow urged Washington to respect Syria’s sovereignty and contribute to the peaceful political settlement.
“The parties exchanged views on the development of events in Syria and in the region. Russia stressed the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and contribute to the peaceful political settlement in the country by Syrians themselves in order to stop violence whatsoever it came and start a dialogue between the authorities and the opposition without any preconditions and in compliance with the LAS initiative,” the ministry said.
“During the meeting, the parties agreed that the changes in the region should not put on the back the settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict on the legal basis. Thus, the sides stressed the importance of direct contacts between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators due to start in the beginning of January under active mediation of the Quartet and Jordan,” the ministry said.
“Both parties expressed hope for the peaceful resolution of crises and the soonest stabilisation in Arab countries due to the peoples’ drive for a better life and ensuring political and economic rights and freedoms,” the ministry said.
The parties stressed the need “to exchange views on all Middle East problems and to intensify interaction for the benefit of stabilisation in the region”, the ministry added.
The ministry also said Russia hoped that Syria would fulfil its obligations within the LAS plan. Russia lauds a really large-scale amnesty for participants in anti-government protest actions in Syria, the ministry said.