Beijing: China has expressed ‘great concern’ over increasing violence in Syria, and said the situation in the country has reached a ‘critical juncture’.
China, a veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council, has repeatedly opposed foreign intervention in Syria, and has urged both sides in the conflict to implement UN-Arab League envoy Kofi Annan`s peace plan.
“China expresses its great concern over the development of the situation in Syria. We believe the situation in Syria is at a critical juncture,” The Telegraph quoted foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin, as saying.
“We hope parties in Syria can do everything they can to protect civilians,” he added.
China’s remarks after a UN official said Syria was now in a full-scale civil war.
Meanwhile, faced with the deteriorating situation in Syria, Russia has put forward a proposal to hold an international conference on how to resolve the crisis that would include Iran, a close ally of Damascus.
According to the paper, Liu said China was ‘positive’ about the proposal, but the United States, France and Britain have expressed strong reservations over the possible inclusion of Iran in the talks.
ANI
