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Zhang Jun (C), China's permanent representative to the UN and the UN Security Council's president this month, speaks during a briefing at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, March 2, 2020. (Xinhua/Li Muzi)
The international community should support Iraq in independently managing its own internal affairs and responding to the challenges by playing a constructive role and creating an enabling environment, China's UN envoy said.
UNITED NATIONS, March 3 (Xinhua) -- China's UN envoy on Tuesday called for a "good atmosphere" to be created for political dialogue and national reconciliation in Iraq.
Speaking at a Security Council meeting on the unrest-torn country, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said as the internal political process in Iraq is at an important juncture, the international community should support Iraq in independently managing its own internal affairs and responding to the challenges by playing a constructive role and creating an enabling environment.
"We are firmly against interference in Iraq's internal affairs," he said, adding any military action on Iraq's territory must be subject to the consent of the government of the country to avoid Iraq becoming a victim of geo-politics.
He said engaging in peaceful and meaningful dialogue toward inclusive reconciliation and harmonious coexistence is in the fundamental interest of the Iraqi people.
"We welcome further improvement of relations between the central government of Iraq and the Kurdistan regional government as well as their continuation of communication and dialogue on oil revenue sharing and security arrangements," he said.
Moreover, Zhang urged the international community to consolidate the achievements in counterterrorism and safeguarding national security, noting Iraq has made great sacrifice for the international cause of counterterrorism.
He warned that the threat of remnant forces of terrorism still remains and the disposal of foreign terrorist fighters and their families is in urgent need of support from more parties.
In this regard, he called on international community to fully respect Iraq's sovereignty and jurisdiction, and support Iraq in bringing terrorists to justice and in preventing the return and spread of terrorist forces and activities.
He said the world should support the UN investigative team to promote accountability for crimes committed by the Islamic State.
In addition, Zhang stressed the need to promote Iraq's economic recovery and accelerate its reconstruction, noting development is the fundamental guarantee for peace.
In this light, he pointed out that speeding up economic reconstruction, augmenting public service capacity, improving people's livelihood and responding to people's aspirations are important tasks for Iraq.
He urged the international community to support Iraq in exploring a development path that fits its own national conditions, and to fulfill its commitment to continuing support and assistance to Iraq.
The Chinese envoy said China supports any effort that is conducive to maintaining stability and development in Iraq. "We will continue to work under the Belt and Road framework by actively participating in the reconstruction of Iraq's energy and infrastructure sectors among others."
He said China will also continue to provide humanitarian and economic aid to Iraq and help the Iraqi people cope with various difficulties and challenges. ■
