BEIJING, Nov. 1 -- China says sanctions on Syria should only be imposed by the UN Security Council under very specific situations.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing made the comment at a UN Security Council ministerial-level meeting Monday in New York.

    He spoke against any "willful" use of sanctions, stressing that any hasty decisions could further endanger the stability of the Middle East.

    "Under such circumstances, it's inappropriate for the council to pre-judge the outcome of the investigation and to threaten to impose sanctions. It does not help." Li said.

    The Foreign Minister stressed it was important to consider the complexity of the middle-east issue and each country's individual rights ought to be respected. He hoped the investigation would be carried out in an open and fair way and the outcome would be released as soon as possible.

    The probe investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri would continue until at least December 15th.

    (Source: CRIENGLISH.com)