China urges promotion of peace process in Somalia

Updated: 2011-09-15 09:12

(Xinhua)

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UNITED NATIONS - China's UN Ambassador Li Baodong on Wednesday urged the parties in Somalia to take opportunity to vigorously promote peace process.

Li made this call when addressing a Security Council open debate on question of Somalia. Li told the Council that the peace process and security situation in Somalia have made positive headways recently. The signing of the Kampala Accord and successful convocation of the consultative meeting ending the transitional period indicated the good intentions of various parties in Somalia towards building lasting peace and identified the direction for further promotion of Somali peace process.

However, it should be noted that Somali peace process still faces arduous tasks. For instance, the famine occurred in the country has led to severe humanitarian crisis, Li said.

The ambassador called on parties in Somalia to "take the window of opportunity and vigorously promote peace process".

"Concrete implementing the road map drafted by the consultative meeting is the top priority of work," he said. "It also holds the key of realization of peace and stability in Somalia."

"China hopes the parities concerned in Somalia to take the favorable momentum, further consolidate unity, increase mutual trust and strengthen capacity-building to ensure the smooth implementation of the road map," Li said.

Meanwhile, the international community should continue to help Somali Transitional Federal Institutions enhance capacity-building, provide more support to Somali peace process.

China also supported the African Union's efforts in solving Somali issue. "We expected the Security Council to attach great importance to requests and recommendations made by the AU Peace and Security Council and respond positively," Li said. "China supports the Security Council to actively consider deploying peacekeeping operation in Somalia at an appropriate time".

China is deeply concerned about the continuous spreading of famine in Somalia, appreciate the emergency rescue by international humanitarian agencies. China urged parties in Somalia to fully cooperate the rescue efforts with the international community.

Li noted that China has donated 16 million US dollars to World Food Program to support Somalia in dealing with famine and called on the international community to continue to provide more assistance to Somalia.