UNSC can't slack off amid alarming situation in Middle East: China

ANKARA

Terming the situation in the Middle East "alarming," China on Tuesday said it supports all diplomatic efforts to stop the violence and protect civilians.
Zhang Jun, Beijing's envoy to the UN, called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) to fulfill its "huge responsibilities," saying there is no reason to "slack off."

"The situation on the ground remains alarming. We should spare no effort in calling for a cease-fire, stop of violence, and protection of civilians. We [China] support all diplomatic efforts," he said on Twitter.

"Meanwhile, the Security Council also shoulders huge responsibilities. There's no reason to slack off."

His statement came after China and Norway requested another UNSC meeting on Tuesday to discuss Israel's continued offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Previous efforts for a statement from the council demanding an immediate cease-fire have all been blocked by the US.

Norway's UN mission in New York tweeted: "The situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. Innocent civilians continue being killed & injured. We repeat: Stop the fire. End hostilities now."

On Monday, China's Foreign Ministry called on the US to take an unbiased stance and support the UNSC in playing its due role in easing the tensions.

"I have to stress that the overwhelming majority of UNSC members spoke with one voice: all believed that the Security Council should speak with a unanimous voice, advance the peace talks process in a just manner and work for the peaceful coexistence of Palestine and Israel," spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters during his regular news briefing.

"But regrettably, due to the obstruction of one country [the US], the Security Council has not been unable to speak with one voice."

At least 212 Palestinians have been killed, including 61 children and 36 women, and 1,400 others injured in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since last week, according to Palestine's Health Ministry.

Ten Israelis have also been killed by Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

The recent tensions that started in East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan spread to Gaza as a result of Israeli assaults on worshippers in the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque compound and the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood.

Israel occupied East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa is located, during the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. It annexed the entire city in 1980 in a move never recognized by the international community.

* Writing by Islamuddin Sajid