China to support Iraqi gov't in stabilizing situation

NANJING, Aug. 16 -- China will continue to support the Iraqi government in stabilizing the situation in the country as soon as possible, said President Xi Jinping on Saturday.

He made the remarks in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, before they attended the opening ceremony of the 2nd Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Xi described the development of the situation in Iraq as "both expected and unexpected." The way for Iraq to escape its current troubles is internal unity and no more external turmoil, he said.

Since June, the insurgency by the extremist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or simply the Islamic State (IS), has forced thousands of Iraqi people, mainly from minority communities, to flee their homes.

The United States dispatched 300 military advisors to Iraq in June to help the Baghdad government confront rapidly advancing ISIL terrorists, and launched rounds of air strikes against ISIL forces.

On Friday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on sanctions against extremist groups in Iraq and Syria, including ISIL.

Xi hoped all parties in Iraq could put the country's interests first, push forward the reconciliation process and form a broadly representative government.

He also stressed that the international community should respect the country's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity while providing assistance.

Ban echoed Xi, saying he hoped all sides could make joint efforts to promote Iraq's reconciliation process.

With regard to the escalating situation in the Middle East, Xi said China is concerned about the region, where conflicts between different ethnic groups, religions and religious sects have reemerged, and the Palestine-Israel, Syria and Iraq issues have intertwined and affected one another.

The president said "violence against violence" cannot solve the Palestine-Israel issue. China will also continue to support the conciliation efforts by the UN and Ban to promote all parties in Syria to find a "middle way."

Xi and Ban also discussed the situation in northeast Asia. Xi said he hopes countries in the region can make concerted efforts to promote regional peace, stability and prosperity.