China reinforces support for Libya at UN gathering

UNITED NATIONS - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi reinforced China's support for the Libyan authority and people to decide upon themselves the future and destiny of Libya, at a high-level meeting during the 66th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

He urged the international community to follow the UN charter and international law.

"Libyan history is turning a new page, entering a key period of transition from war to nation building," Yang said at the meeting, which gathered more than 60 heads of state and senior government officials, including United States President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Yang made clear China's position on Libya: "That is to respect Libya's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity."

Yang said China respects the Libyan people's choice and recognizes Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libyan authorities and the representative of the Libyan people.

In June, Yang met with Mahmoud Jibril, chairman of the Executive Board of Libyan NTC, in Beijing and recognized the council "an important dialogue partner".

"China congratulates the NTC on exercising representation at the UN and welcomes Libya to return to the family of the international community," Yang continued.

The opposition NTC, led by Mustafa Abdel Jalil, Muammar Gaddafi's former justice minister, was created in February after the uprising against Gaddafi's rule began. The council consists of 31 members representing the various cities across Libya. It aims to guide the country to free elections and the establishment of a constitution for Libya.

As the new flag of Libya flew for the first time at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, heads of state and government all expressed their support to the nation's rebuilding, stressing peace, security and humanitarian efforts are all important elements for Libya.

"Libya is a lesson in what the international community can achieve when we stand together as one," Obama said. But he warned that, "after decades of iron rule by Gaddafi, it will take time to build the institutions needed for a democratic Libya".

"There will be days of frustration; when progress is slow; when some begin to wish for the old order and its illusion of stability," Obama said.

He announced on Tuesday he was sending the US ambassador back to Tripoli to reopen the US embassy there.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who convened the meeting, said his new special representative for Libya, Ian Martin, and his team have already deployed to Libya.

Ban said UN humanitarians and engineers have been on the ground for several weeks, distributing food and medical aid and assisting Libyan authorities to deal with critical threats to the country's water supplies.

On Friday, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2009 to authorize the establishment of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. It will assist Libyan national efforts to restore public security, promote the rule of law, foster inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, and embark on creating a constitution and begin the electoral processes.

Yang stressed that the transition and rebuilding of Libya needs the international community's "unstinting support and assistance" and China supports the UN in taking the lead role to achieve peace in Libya and is ready to provide more help to Libya.

China helped evacuate 2,100 people of 12 countries from the strife-torn Libya in March.

Noting the high-level meeting is a "starting point", Yang said that while everything is waiting to be rebuilt in Libya, China is willing to help the Libyan people through difficulties and rebuilding, and hopes they will embark down the road to "tranquility, harmony and happiness".

On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Yang will have a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings in New York this week. He will speak Monday at the UN General Debate.

China Daily