Dialogue key to solving unrest in Syria: FM

BEIJING - China urges and supports the Arab League to continue its political mediation efforts over the unrest in Syria, experts said.

Syria's stability is important for the peace and security of the Middle East, and China hopes the 22-nation league will play a positive and constructive role in peacefully and properly resolving the crisis, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said on Monday at a daily news briefing.

"China hopes all relevant parties can proceed from the overall situation of peace and stability in Syria and the Middle East, and keep the dialogue (going) to play a positive and constructive role in politically resolving the Syrian issue and easing the country's tension," Liu said in response to a question about a request to establish a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping force.

The league said on Sunday that it would open contact with Syria's opposition and offer full financial support. It also called for a joint UN-Arab League peacekeeping force to monitor the situation while ending its own observer mission.

The UN should provide constructive help based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms guiding international relations for the peaceful and proper resolution of the Syrian issue, Liu said.

People chant slogans during an anti-Syrian government protest in downtown Brussels on Sunday. The Arab League will call on the UN Security Council to pass a resolution creating a joint peacekeeping force for Syria. [Photo/Agencies]