Xinhuanet 2002-09-24 21:24:40


BEIJING, Sept. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan held a phone conversation on Monday with his Egyptian counterpart Ahmed Maher on the latest developments in the Middle East and on the Iraq issue.

Tang stated China’s stance on the Israel-Palestine conflicts, noting that the Chinese government is deeply concerned and worriedabout the recent escalation of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The Chinese government has urged Israel to actively respond to the appeal of the international community and to halt its siege on President Yasser Arafat’s compound as soon as possible, he added.

On the Iraq issue, Tang said the issue should be resolved within the framework of the United Nations Security Council and expressed China’s hope that UN arms inspectors will return to workin Iraq as quickly as possible. The UN Security Council should make an objective and just evaluation of the arms inspection findings and then consider its next move.

Maher expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Chinese government for its above-mentioned position. Enditem