China Wednesday recognized Libya's opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) "an important dialogue partner" as it hosted the first visit of the NTC leader to Beijing.

"Since its creation, the NTC has increased its representativeness and gradually become a major political force," Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi Wednesday said in a meeting with Chairman of the Executive Board of Libyan NTC Mahmoud Jibril. "China sees it as an important dialogue partner."

 "China is not seeking any private interest on the Libyan issue," Yang said. "China believes the Libyan issue is essentially Libyan internal issue. The future of Libya should be left to be decided by Libyan people." 

"We hope the two sides in the Libyan conflicts ...truly give peace a chance and this will work for the fundamental interests of the Libyan people." 

Jibril said that the NTC appreciated China's impartial position on the Libyan issue and its positive role in solving the ongoing crisis in his country.

Jibril is in China for a two-day visit. It is the first time that the Libyan opposition leader has visited China.

Libya has been in a state of turmoil since February. 

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