China backs UN's leading role in Libya rebuilding

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi addresses the 66th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York, Sept 26, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

"China supports the United Nations in playing a leading role in Libya's post-conflict reconstruction and supports the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) in starting its mission as quickly as possible," Yang told the General Assembly during its annual general debate.

As Libya has now entered into a critical transitional stage from war and turmoil to national reconstruction, Yang said China respects the choice of the Libyan people and recognizes the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the governing authorities of Libya and the representative of its people.

"We hope that under NTC's leadership, the parties in Libya will set in motion an inclusive process of political transition, maintain ethnic harmony and national unity, restore stability as soon as possible and begin economic reconstruction," said Yang.

"We stand for the principle of non-interference, respect and support countries in the region in independently handling their internal affairs, and respect the aspirations of the people in the region," said Yang, expressing concern over the turbulence in west Asia and north Africa.

"We hope that the parties concerned in the countries of the region will resolve their differences through political dialogue and speedily restore stability and order in their respective countries," he said.