Opposition hails China's role in Syria

Beijing supports any plans widely accepted by all parties, FM says

The Syrian National Council agrees with UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Kofi Annan's peace plan and values China's role in working toward a political resolution to the crisis, Burhan Ghalioun, head of the opposition, said on Tuesday.

During a meeting with Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Ghalioun said that his party opposed any outside interference and appreciated China's humanitarian aid to Syria.

Annan's mediation efforts have created an important opportunity and a practical way out of the crisis, said Yang, urging related parties to maintain the cease-fire and cooperate with UN observers in the country.

China supports any plans that are in the fundamental interest of the Syrian people and widely accepted by all parties, said Yang, adding that China would like to play a constructive role in a proper and early resolution to the Syria conflict.

Ghalioun, invited by the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, is visiting China from Sunday to Wednesday.

Unlike the opposition parties backed by outside forces, the Syrian National Council has been calling for a political resolution of the Syrian issue, said Hua Liming, a former ambassador to Iran.

"The ongoing parliamentary election can further promote Syria's democracy, but if it is boycotted by too many oppositional parties, its effects would be questionable," he said.

Syrians voted on Monday in parliamentary elections under a new constitution that ends the monopoly on power of President Bashar al-Assad's Baath Party and allows a multi-party system.

The election is part of the government's reform program aimed at quelling the unrest, which began in March 2011.

Syrian authorities said 7,195 candidates from 12 political parties were competing for the 250 parliamentary seats. However, the main opposition groups boycotted the vote amid fighting with government security forces.

The United States on Monday dismissed the election as "ludicrous", saying credible elections were not possible when the country was beset by continuing violence.

Annan is to brief the UN Security Council on Tuesday about the situation in Syria. The UN said more than 9,000 people have been killed in the turmoil.

UN leader Ban Ki-moon said through his spokesman Martin Nesirky that only a comprehensive and inclusive political dialogue can lead to a genuine democratic future in Syria.

Xinhua and AP contributed to this story.

zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn