Key points
- China is deeply concerned about potential escalation of tensions in Middle East
- UNSC needs to take concrete action: China
- UN warns of mounting humanitarian toll amid escalating Israel-Iran hostilities
ISLAMABAD: Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the United Nations, said China is deeply concerned about the potential escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
According to CGTN, Fu said the overwhelming mainstream view of the international community is that both Israel and Iran should immediately implement a ceasefire and protect civilians.
Noting that nuclear issues can only be resolved through negotiations, Fu said, in this spirit, the UN Security Council needs to take concrete action on these fronts.
READ ALSO: Putin, Xi ‘Strongly Condemn’ Israeli Strikes on Iran, Urge Diplomatic Solution
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that a ceasefire is an urgent priority for resolving the conflict in the Middle East, stressing that the use of force is not the right solution to international disputes, according to CGTN.
International community
In a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin regarding the situation in the Middle East, President Xi urged the conflicting parties – especially Israel – to cease fire as soon as possible.
He also urged the international community – particularly major countries with significant influence over the parties to the conflict – to make efforts to de-escalate the situation, adding that the UN Security Council should play a greater role in this regard.
Iran-Israel conflict
As deadly missile exchanges between Israel and Iran enter a second week, the United Nations is sounding alarm over the growing toll on civilians, warning of mass displacement and regional instability.
On Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for “maximum restraint” and reiterated that both Israel and Iran are bound by international humanitarian law.
The current conflict was sparked by Israel’s massive, unprovoked attacks across Iran last Friday.
“The wide-scale, continuing attacks by Israel across Iran, and the missile and drone strikes launched in response by Iran, are inflicting severe human rights and humanitarian impacts on civilians, and risk setting the whole region ablaze,” he said in a statement.
According to Iranian authorities, at least 224 people have been killed, while in Israel, officials report 24 deaths and more than 840 injuries so far.
