UNITED NATIONS - China, which this month took over the presidency of the UN Security Council, said it will plan an open debate on Somalia and other crises in Africa in a week.

Li Baodong, China's permanent representative to the UN, told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday that "we cannot have a piecemeal solution (to Somalia)," adding that "constant attention" is needed on this issue.

China, one of five permanent members of the council which have the power to veto proposals, took the helm of the peacekeeping organ of the UN due to the council's rotating presidency.

The debate on Somalia, Li said, will cover the country's political, security, reconstruction, economic and social issues. The representative also said the debate may focus on piracy and unemployment, adding that he supports the African Union's (AU) leading role in facilitating peace and its efforts to form a close relationship between the AU and the council.

In January, members of the council reiterated their concern over the continued instability and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Somalia. They reaffirmed their support for what is known as the Djibouti Agreement - a peace deal between the federal government of Somalia and the Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia that expires in August - as the basis for a resolution to the conflict in Somalia. Li stressed that the council has to plan ahead before the agreement ends.

The UN Security Council will also closely follow the violence and protests in Libya, Li said.

Earlier Wednesday, Reuters reported that the League of Arab States would not rule out imposing a no-fly zone on Libya in conjunction with the AU if the fighting didn't stop.

Li said that the no-fly zone proposal is "floating around" but countries are having different opinions on the matter, adding that no country has officially proposed anything to the council to that effect.

Late last month, the council unanimously adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on Libya - including an arms embargo against the country and a travel ban and asset freeze against Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi and his family members.

Li said that the situation in Libya is troublesome and its lack of stability is having an impact on the region. The council as well as the international community, he said, should consider the opinions and positions of Arab and African countries.

Li added that China respects the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Libya, and believes the political crisis should be resolved through peaceful means such as dialogue.

"The safety and rights of Libyan people and foreign nationals should be protected," Li said.

Li also highlighted other pressing issues for the council, including the situation in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, which will be the subject of a consultation on March 3, and Haiti, where the run-off presidential election is due this month.

Throughout March, the council will review the situation in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Lebanon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, among others.

In regards to the Palestine-Israel talks, Li said that China supports the Palestinian people in pursuing their national rights and strongly opposes current Israeli settlement activities. He regretted that the council resolution condemning Israeli settlements was not passed on Feb 18. The vote tally in the council was 14 to 1, with the United States (one of the five permanent members) vetoing the resolution and calling it illegal.

Li stressed that China, as the leader of the council, will adhere to "the principles of fairness, neutrality and work in an efficient and pragmatic fashion, coordinate with non-council member states, other United Nations bodies and communicate well with the media".

China Daily