China backs multinational force in Afghanistan
( 2001-12-21 08:50 ) (8 )

China said it hoped a United Nations resolution authorising an international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan would bring peace to the war-torn country.

"We support the resolution, and we hope that it will help promote stability in Afghanistan," Shen Guofang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said shortly after the resolution was passed in New York late on Thursday.

"During the consultations, we stressed that the purpose of the UN Charter should be observed and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan be safeguarded," Shen said.

"We maintain that the Afghan problems should be solved ultimately by Afghans themselves," he said.

The Security Council Thursday voted 15-0 to authorise the deployment of the British-led International Security Assistance Force to provide security, initially just in Kabul and the surrounding areas.

Dozens of British Marines arrived in Afghanistan late Thursday and would deploy in Kabul on Friday to provide security for arriving dignitaries attending Saturday's inauguration ceremony for the interim government.

The force was mandated to provide security under Chapter Seven which allows force to be used if necessary.

Agreement for international peacekeepers was signed by four Afghan factions in Bonn, Germany, on December 5 at the same time that the interim government was named.

The five permanent members, which have veto power on the Security council, are China, Britain, France, Russia and the United States.