China is willing to offer continued help to Iraq in its reconstruction, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Tuesday.  

Kong made the remarks when asked to comment on the announcement by the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq of the results of January's Iraqi election.

Kong said the election is a major event of Iraq's political reconstruction progress. He said China hopes the Iraqi people will strengthen unity and realize the country's stability at an early date and reconstruct their homes. China is willing to offer continued help, together with the international community, to Iraq in its reconstruction work.

Kong also strongly condemned Monday's explosion in Lebanon's capital Beirut that killed 15 including former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri and injured more than 100 others.

He said China expressed its condolences to the death of Hariri and its sincere sympathy to the families of Hariri and the other dead, and hoped the explosion will not influence the security and stability in Lebanon.

No Chinese citizens were killed or injured in the explosion, Kong added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2005)