China concerned about unilateral military action against Syria

CCTV

2 SEPTEMBER, 2013

China says it is seriously concerned about the threat of unilateral military action against Syria. The Foreign Ministry says no one should prejudge the UN chemical weapons investigation and any international action should comply with international law. Any action must also avoid making the conflict even more complicated.

The threats to attack Syria came before the UN investigators had even visited the scene of the alleged chemical weapons attack.

China has called for all parties to be more patient and to allow an objective investigation to find out the facts. No decision on any action should be taken until it is established whether or not chemical weapons were used, and who used them.

Hong Lei, Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, “The Chinese side opposes anyone using chemical weapons and supports the United Nations in carrying out an independent, impartial, objective and professional investigation. China has paid close attention to the situation in Syria. And China insists that a political solution is the only way to solve the Syrian crisis. China is seriously concerned about any unilateral military action against Syria. “

Hong Lei said any action on Syria must comply with international law and the UN charter and should avoid further complicating the conflict in Syria and enflaming the situation in the Middle East.

The UN Secretary-General has asked the chemical weapons inspection team to speed up its testing of samples from Syria, without compromising the results.

Martin Nesirky, UN Secretary General’s Spokesperson, said, “…by the organization for the probe of the chemical weapons. “

China says nobody should interfere with the investigation or prejudge its conclusions.

Welcoming the statement, Ribal Al-Assad, Director of the Iman Foundation said:

“I am very pleased that the Chinese government has reaffirmed its commitment to a political solution to the conflict in Syria, it is becoming more and more apparent every day that this is the only way to resolve the conflict.

The international community has a responsibility to do all it can to help stop the bloodshed in the country, military intervention at this stage would only inflame the situation and could lead to an all out regional war.

We simply cannot allow this to happen, the future of Syria hangs on a precipice and it is critical that the right course of action is now taken, there must be no military intervention in Syria.”