Chinese, French FMs discuss Syria issue over phone

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Chinese, French FMs discuss Syria issue over phone

(Xinhua) 11:37, August 31, 2013

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held telephone talks Friday with his French Counterpart Laurent Fabius on the ongoing crisis in Syria.

During their talks, Wang reaffirmed China's resolute opposition against the use of chemical weapons.

He stressed the need to support UN inspectors in facilitating their independent, just, objective and professional investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria.

It is to be determined not only whether chemical weapons have been used in Syria but who have used them, Wang said. And establishing the facts is the prerequisite for any actions.

Various parties need to adopt a cautious, responsible attitude toward the major issue concerning war and peace, said the Chinese foreign minister.

Fabius, for his part, presented France's viewpoint that the international community should make necessary responses to the use of chemical weapons.

The UN inspectors need to accelerate their investigation, he said.

And a political solution remains the ultimate one to the Syria issue, said Fabius.

The Syrian opposition claimed that some 1,300 people were killed on Aug. 21 in a chemical weapons attack by the government army on militant strongholds in the suburbs of Damascus. The Syrian government has strongly denied the accusation.

（Editor：HuangJin、Chen Lidan）