China Says Syria Should Solve Problems Itself Through Talks

Leaders of Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria and Iran met to discuss issues of a common interest in the Middle East region and internationally. The meeting comes amid threats of military action against Iran by the United States., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

China says Syria should solve problems itself through talks

By REUTERS
04/28/2011 11:57

BEIJING, April 28 - China's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Syria should resolve the problems facing it itself via talks, explaining why Beijing did not sign off on a European push for the UN Security Council to condemn violence there.

Envoys said that resistance from Russia, China and Lebanon was behind the failure of the Security Council to condemn Syria's violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Instead, Western countries called a public debate on Syria, but the meeting highlighted differences in the 15-nation council, with Russia charging that it was outside interference in Arab countries that could be a threat to peace.

"The different sides could not come up with a consensus. China participated in the talks with a constructive attitude," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a regular news briefing in Beijing. "We believe that all sides in Syria should resolve their differences through political dialogue, appropriately deal with the present crisis, maintain national stability and normal order," Hong added, without elaborating.