Chinese FM expresses condolences over death of UN peacekeepers in Lebanon

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Wednesday in Kuala Lumpur expressed shock and sadness over the death of four United Nations peacekeeping observers in Israeli bombings and expressed deep condolences to their families.

Li, who is to attend the foreign ministers' meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China, Japan and South Korea (10+3) here, told reporters that he was deeply shocked and saddened by the deaths of the four UN observers.

The minister said he strongly condemned the bombing, and felt deep sorrow for the victims and their families.

The Chinese victim, Du Zhaoyu, was among the four UN peacekeepers killed in the Israeli air strike. The other three dead UN observers were from Finland, Austria and Canada respectively, the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) sources confirmed.

Describing Du Zhaoyu and his three colleagues as outstanding sons of their countries, Li said their blood should not be shed in vain, nor should people in the Middle East shed more blood.

The international community and the United Nations should urge the conflicting parties to implement an immediate ceasefire and step back to the path of negotiation in order to seek a political settlement, the minister said.

China would work with the international community to guide the Middle East situation back to peace and stability, he added.

All the foreign ministers participating in the ASEAN meetings mourned the deaths of the four UN peacekeepers.

Source: Xinhua