China calls for political dialogue to end Syrian crisis

BEIJING -- A political dialogue was the only and right way to solve the prolonged Syrian crisis, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said Friday.

Yang made the remarks during a telephone conversation with new UN-Arab League special envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi, who was appointed earlier this month to succeed Kofi Annan.

China was deeply concerned about the worsening situation in Syria and paid high attention to the humanitarian conditions in the Middle East country, Yang said.

The international community should stick to the principle of a political solution to the crisis, he said.

The foreign minister urged all parties involved in the crisis to fully implement relevant UN Security Council resolutions, Annan's six-point peace plan and the Geneva communique of the Action Group.

China would continue to work with the international community to push for a solution to the Syrian crisis, he said.

Yang said China expected Brahimi to play an active role in seeking a political solution to the crisis.

Brahimi said he attached great importance to China'a stance and role in solving the Syrian crisis, adding he was willing to keep in touch with China on the issue.