Arab League (AL) Secretary-General Amr Moussa on Sunday held talks in Cairo with visiting China's special envoy on the Middle East Sun Bigan on the Lebanon crisis and UN Security Council resolution on Lebanon, which was passed on Friday.

 

Despite of its unbalance, Resolution 1701 contained those major points which were generally concerned among Arab nations, Moussa said, adding that Arab nations would help to implement the resolution based on consultation.

 

The AL chief expressed his appreciation to Sun because China has shown high respect to Arab concerns during the discussions and debate on the resolution at the UN Security Council.

 

The Resolution 1701, unanimously adopted by UN Security Council on Friday, calls for Israel's withdrawal and authorizes an increase of the existing UN force in Lebanon to 15,000 troops to help Lebanese troops take control of south Lebanon as Israel withdraws.

 

Moussa also lauded China's efforts to solve the Mideast issues, saying such efforts were welcomed and appreciated.

 

For his part, Sun said that Resolution 1701 was a major step in the direction of political settlement to the Lebanon crisis and China welcomed and supported it.

 

Though so, Sun cautioned that the implementation of Resolution 1701 would be much more important, as well as difficult, than passing it and the implementation called for more strenuous efforts by concerned parties.

 

The Chinese envoy called on the international community, particularly concerned parties, to press ahead for the implementation of the resolution, reach ceasefire as soon as possible and ease the humanitarian crisis facing the Lebanese.

 

Sun said that China was willing to maintain close contact and consultations with Arab nations during the implementation. Sun also noted that the international community should continue showing concerns and efforts to solve the Palestinian-Israeli issue.

 

"Only if the legitimate rights of Arab people are restored, stability and peace in the Middle East could have a solid basis," said Sun.

 

Also on Sunday, Sun met with Egyptian Presidential Advisor Osama el-Baz and Assistant Egyptian Foreign Minister for Arab and Mideast Affairs Hany Khalaf, and discussed with them the latest developments in Lebanon.

 

The two Egyptian officials expressed appreciation of China's stance and policy on regional issues, hoping that China would continue to play its part in pushing ahead with the Middle East peace process.

 

Sun arrived in Cairo on Saturday for a three-day visit, part of his regional tour starting on August 6, which has taken him to Syria, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories. After Egypt, Sun is expected to visit Saudi Arabia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2006)