Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Friday with visiting Foreign Minister Hoshiar Al-Zibari of the Iraqi Interim Government.

Wen said the Chinese government and people fully understand the Iraqi people's aspiration for peace and security, and their willingness to push forward the reconstruction process.

To that end, Wen said, the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Iraq must be respected; the Iraqi peoples aspiration for ruling their own country must be honored so that they are empowered to determine their own future.

Moreover, the United Nations should play its role and efforts should be made to encourage the international community to actively participate in the process, he said.

He described the upcoming general election in Iraq "an important step forward" in the political process of Iraq.

"We hope Iraq to elect a government with extensive representation through a just and transparent election so that it can shoulder the responsibility to rebuild their own home," he said.

He said China attaches importance to its ties with Iraq and has pledged to offer 25 million US dollars for the Iraqi reconstruction.

China would like to continue to assist Iraq for its reconstruction and development, he said.

After briefing the latest development in Iraq, Al-Zibari said Iraq appreciated China's just stance on the Iraqi issue. Iraq and China enjoy traditional friendship and the Iraqi side thanked China's political, spiritual and material assistance and support to Iraq, he said, adding that Iraq will offer equal opportunities for the Chinese companies to participate in the country's reconstruction.

Iraq supports China's reunification cause and adheres to One-China policy, he said.