UNITED NATIONS - Chinese UN Ambassador Li Baodong said here Friday that China will continue its support to the Libyan people on their efforts to protect national sovereignty, conducting reconstruction and promoting development.

Li's remarks came as he addressed the UN Security Council after the 15-member body unanimously adopted a resolution to ease sanctions against Libya's assets and arms, and set up a UN mission to help restore public security and initiate economic recovery in the North African country.

Li said China has repeatedly stressed that four principles should be followed in handling the Libyan issue: First, bring an early end to the conflicts; Second, launch an inclusive political process as soon as possible; Third, respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Libya, as well as the will and choice of the Libyan people; Fourth, give play to the leading role of the Security Council, while other countries, international mechanisms and international conferences should also play a supplementary role under the guidance of the UN Charter and the established principles concerning the Libyan issue.

"Based on the above-mentioned principles, China voted in favor of the newly-adopted Resolution 2009," Li said in the explanatory remarks.

The new resolution decided to lift asset freeze and other measures against the Libyan National Oil Corporation and Zueitina Oil Company, and ease sanctions against the Central Bank of Libya, the Libyan Arab Foreign Bank, the Libyan Investment Authority and the Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio.

However, the sanctions against Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi, his family members and close followers are maintained, the resolution said.

Meanwhile, the Security Council also decided to set up a United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) for an initial period of three months to restore public order and security, promote economic recovery and national reconciliation.

The resolution was adopted hours after the UN General Assembly approved Libya's National Transitional Council as the legitimate holder of the country's UN seat.