¡¡¡¡BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhuanet) -- A proper settlement of the Iraq issue is eventually inseparable from the United Nations, and China will join the international community in safeguarding the UN's role in international affairs and the authority of the UN Security Council.

¡¡¡¡Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the remarks in a phone conversation with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Monday evening.

¡¡¡¡Li expressed great concern over the situation in Iraq, saying that the war has resulted in many innocent Iraqi civilian casualties, sparked off a grave humanitarian catastrophe and added uncertain factors to the stability of the Gulf region and the economic development of various countries.

¡¡¡¡The UN Resolution 1472, unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council on March 28, was of positive significance in terms of adjusting the oil-for-food program for the emergent humanitarian needs in Iraq.

¡¡¡¡Resorting to the use of military force to resolve the Iraq issue does not comply with the interests of all parties concerned,said Li. China had time and again appealed to halt the military action as soon as possible and to make all possible efforts to reopen the door for political settlement.

¡¡¡¡British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw briefed the Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on the latest summit talks between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush at the Camp David and Britain's ideas concerning the post-war arrangements.

¡¡¡¡Straw said the British side hoped that the United Nations would play a key role in post-war arrangements.

¡¡¡¡Moreover, both sides had an exchange of views on the nuclear issue of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the situation between India and Pakistan. The two sides also expressed their desire to maintain contact and consultations on international issues. Enditem