LOC15:34
12:34 GMT
BEIJING, March 1 (KUNA) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called on Sunday all concerned parties to immediately halt military operations in the Middle East and prevent further escalation.
The call came during a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which the two officials touched on the latest developments in Iran and other countries in the region.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Wang stressed the need for the all parties to return to dialogue and negotiations as soon as possible, urging all sides to strengthen peace talks and stop the fighting.
He said that the United States and Israeli occupation forces launching military strikes against Iran amid an ongoing negotiation process was unacceptable, adding that the assassination of a leader of a sovereign state and open incitement for regime change were also unacceptable.
Wang affirmed that such actions violate international law and the basic norms governing international relations.
He warned that the flames of war have now spread across the entire Arabian Gulf region, raising the risk of the Middle East sliding into a dangerous abyss, and expressed China's deep concern over the developments.
Wang noted that China closely follows the security of Gulf countries and supports them in exercising restraint.
He also called for jointly opposing unilateral measures, stressing that launching military strikes against a sovereign state without authorization from the UN Security Council undermines the foundations of the post-World War II international order.
He urged the international community to raise a clear voice against a return to the "law of the jungle," reiterating that China consistently opposes the use or threat of force in international relations.
In turn, Lavrov said that the military strikes carried out by the US and Israeli occupation forces against Iran seriously undermined stability in the Middle East.
He affirmed that Russia agrees with China's position and stands ready to enhance coordination with Beijing to call for an end to the war and a return to diplomatic negotiations. (end)
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