The international community must make concerted effort to prevent conflict and turmoil from spreading to Syria as tensions between Lebanon and Israel have soared up, said a Chinese envoy at the United Nations on Wednesday.
At an open meeting on the situation in Syria held by the UN Security Council, Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said Israel has launched multiple airstrikes on Syria, which disregarded human lives and Syria's sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.
"China strongly condemns Israel's frequent airstrikes on Syria and calls on Israel to immediately stop such attacks. China calls on all parties concerned to earnestly respect Syria's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, and make concrete efforts to maintain stability in countries in the region including Syria. Foreign troops must end their illegal military presence in Syria," said Geng.
Geng pointed out a large number of refugees have poured into Syria due to Lebanon-Israel tensions, and China appreciates the series of positive measures taken by the Syrian government to accept refugees, welcomes the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees' urgent humanitarian appeal, and looks forward to the international community to respond and provide assistance.
Geng noted that China firmly supports the Syrian government in taking necessary measures to combat terrorism, and calls on the international community to adopt unified standards and cooperate with a zero-tolerance attitude to combat terrorist forces in Syria and prevent them from taking advantage of the situation to add new destabilizing factors to the already turbulent situation.
Geng also emphasized that enhancing Syria's socioeconomic resilience will help fundamentally improve the humanitarian situation in Syria. while unilateral sanctions, which has seriously hindered the development of Syria, should be lifted immediately.
The Israeli army has intensified its airstrikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon since late September, resulting in an influx of a large number of Lebanese into neighboring Syria, with many border crossings between the two countries recording a sharp surge of entries.
China calls for int'l efforts to maintain stability in Syria amid Lebanon-Israel tensions
China calls for int'l efforts to maintain stability in Syria amid Lebanon-Israel tensions
