From Chinese Press

Do not abandon hope for peaceful resolution to Libyan crisis

(peopledaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-03-22 09:21

On March 19, multinational forces, including France, the United Kingdom and the United States launched military strikes against Libya, which not only hit military targets, but also caused civilian casualties.

Based on the principles of the U.N. Charter as well as from the perspective of morality and international law, people have good reason to express regret over the strike on Libya, a sovereign nation.

Shockwaves caused by the first round of military action show the likelihood of a more serious escalation of armed conflict and the chances of humanitarian crisis have increased. How to stabilize the situation in Libya as soon as possible presents a test to the international community's crisis management capabilities and wisdom to maintain a stable system of international relations.

The international community has been trying to urge the Libyan Government and the opposition to realize reconciliation through dialogue and negotiations, so that the country's social stability and the normal order can be restored. At the end of last month, the U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution No. 1970, which imposed strict sanctions on Libya.

As a permanent member of U.N. Security Council and also holder of the rotating presidency this month, China has played an active and constructive role by supporting the Security Council to take appropriate and necessary actions to stabilize the situation in Libya and to stop violence against civilians as soon as possible.

For the no-fly zones over Libya proposed by some countries, China, taking the Arab countries and the African Union's concerns and positions into consideration, did not block the Security Council Resolution No. 1973 by abstaining along with Russia and other counties, although it had serious reservations about the resolution.

On the Libyan issue, China once again insisted on consistent principles and showed the image of a responsible country. What China did can stand the test of time.