Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday that the United Nations should give scope to its role in the reconstruction of Iraq and China supports a new resolution on Iraq by the UN Security Council (UNSC) acceptable to all parties concerned.

President Hu made the remarks during a phone conversation with his French counterpart Jacques Chirac Monday evening.

The Chinese government maintains that the security and stability of Iraq should be resumed as early as possible and the administration of Iraq by the Iraqi people should be materialized, Hu said.

A new UNSC resolution, which is acceptable to all parties concerned, is conducive in pushing forward the process of reconstruction, Hu said.

French President Chirac said Iraq is in a state of turbulence and turmoil and the problems should be settled through political means.

The sovereignty of Iraq should be transferred to the Iraqi people gradually, and the United Nations should play a key role in that process, Chirac said.

Moreover, Chirac briefed Hu on his experience in the 58th session of the UN General Assembly as well as his views on the current Iraqi situation.

The two presidents said they were satisfied with the sound development of bilateral ties, noting that they will continue to make joint efforts to promote the progress of the comprehensive partnership between the two nations to a new height.

(Xinhua News Agency September 30, 2003)