Leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) said Thursday that they oppose armed intervention and forced "regime change," as well as disapprove of unilateral sanctions.

The statements were included in the Declaration of the Heads of State of the Member States of the SCO released on Thursday.

Member states have expressed deep concern over the situation in western Asia and northern Africa, the declaration says, adding that they sincerely hope to see peace, stability, prosperity and progress in both regions.

The member states urge the international community to respect the purposes of the UN Charter and norms of international law, respect the independent choices of countries and people in the regions and work to ease tensions, according to the declaration.

The member states said they believe all acts of violence inside Syria must stop, adding that they support broad-based domestic dialogues that respects Syria's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

In addition, the member states said they welcome the UN Security Council (UNSC)'s support for political mediation efforts in solving the crisis and believe that a peaceful solution to the Syrian issue through political dialogue serves the common interests of the Syrian people and the international community.

China firmly opposes any armed intervention in Syria, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin stressed at a Thursday press conference.

Liu said such interventions cannot ultimately resolve the problem.

China considers UN-Arab League joint envoy Kofi Annan's mediations to be the most practical means of solving the issue for the moment, the spokesman said.

China called on the international community to firmly support Annan's efforts and urged the Syrian government and the opposition to take responsibility and avoid targeting innocent people.

"As I know, today Annan will inform the UN Security Council of the recent mediation efforts. China will further communicate and coordinate its stance with relevant parties within the council," Liu said.

Liu said China supports any action that will help ease the situation in Syria and hopes the international community can focus on implementing the UNSC resolution and Annan's six-point peace plan to facilitate a ceasefire and political dialogue as soon as possible.

The SCO was founded in Shanghai on June 15, 2001 and currently has six full members -- China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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