Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Sunday morning held a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the current conflict between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah.

 

During the talks, Annan told Li, who is on a visit to Papua New Guinea, about UN Security Council's consultations on the conflict, according to reports reaching Wellington.

 

While expressing his deep concern over the conflict that has lasted four weeks, Li urged the parties concerned to cease fire immediately and settle the issue through dialogue.

 

Li went on to say that the UN Security Council should take actions to prevent the conflict from further spread.

 

Li also called on the UN to take tangible measures to ensure the security of UN peacekeepers. China has provided humanitarian aid to Lebanon and the Chinese special envoy has also departed for the Middle East.

 

China will continue to make efforts to help solve the conflict, Li stressed.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 7, 2006)