China for early lifting of UN sanctions imposed on Iraq

China reiterated its call for an early lifting of sanctions imposed by the UN against Iraq. The Chinese news agency Xinhua said on Friday that the Chinese deputy premier on Thursday informed Iraqi envoy Amer Muhammad Rashid, currently visiting China, that his country is concerned over the suffering of the Iraqi people as a result of these sanctions.

The Chinese deputy premier urged the UN to fairly and objectively evaluate weapons inspections operations so as to abrogate the sanctions. He added that Iraq should abide by relevant UN resolutions and Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be honored.