China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi told his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib on Monday (September 23) that it supported Lebanon in safeguarding its sovereignty and security and strongly condemned ‘violations’ after Israel launched large-scale airstrikes. This comes after Wang and Habib met in New York, where they exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East, according to a statement from China’s Foreign Ministry.
The Israeli military said that it launched airstrikes against Hezbollah sites in Lebanon on Monday, which according to the Lebanese authorities had killed 492 people. Hundreds of people fled the southern region for safety as the deadliest day since 2006 war came yesterday.
Wang said no matter how the situation changes, China would continue to stand on the "side of justice and on the side of Arab brothers, including Lebanon".
"We pay close attention to the development of the regional situation, especially the recent explosion of communication equipment in Lebanon, and firmly oppose indiscriminate attacks on civilians," Wang said, according to the statement.
China has been working for peace in the Middle East and will continue to work with Arab countries and the international community, he added.
Fighting violence with violence will not solve problems in the Middle East but will cause greater humanitarian disasters, Wang said, according to the statement. The international community should form a clearer position, and regional countries should unite, "with the current situation a manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict".
China's position is for a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of troops to effectively implement a two-state solution, Wang said.
(With Reuters inputs)
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