China on Tuesday called on all parties involved in Zimbabwe to solve their disputes through dialogue and realize stability and development as soon as possible.

"China is concerned about the current situation in Zimbabwe and hopes relevant sides would take into consideration the fundamental interest of the whole nation and the people, be restrained, and resolve disputes through dialogue," Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao told a regular press conference.

Liu said China hoped relevant parties would complete the presidential campaign smoothly and realize the country's stability and development as soon as possible.

In Zimbabwe, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was holed up in the Dutch embassy in Harare Tuesday after pulling out of a run-off election against President Robert Mugabe.

In the March 29 elections, Tsvangirai won 47 percent of the votes and Mugabe 43 percent. The winner has to garner at least 51 percent.

The UN Security Council on Monday, in a statement adopted by the 15-member body, condemned the Zimbabwean ruling party's denial of its political opponent's right to join the election and called on the government to stop the violence, cease political intimidation, end the restrictions on the right of assembly and release the detained political leaders.

(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2008)