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Chinese envoy calls for four-track efforts to ease tension in Syria's Aleppo

Xinhua, December 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

A Chinese envoy Wednesday called on the international community to make efforts along four tracks -- ceasefire, political negotiation, humanitarian assistance and joint fight against terrorism -- to ease tensions in Syria's northern city of Aleppo.

Wu Haitao, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on Syria.

Wu noted that recently there is a steady escalation of situation in some parts of Syria including Aleppo with the humanitarian situation there steadily worsening.

"China feels for the people who are suffering in Syria and condemns any attack targeting civilians and civilian facilities," said Wu.

Wu said the international community should urge all parties in Syria to end hostilities without delay and work persistently to reach an agreement on relevant issues through peace talks.

The international community should continue to step up humanitarian relief to Aleppo, he added.

Wu said a thoroughgoing solution to de-escalate the situation in Aleppo lies in an effort to remain seized of the big picture in Syria and to hold fast to the prospect of political settlement as the overarching direction.

He said the international community should continue to maintain the role of the UN as the primary player exercising good offices and to continue to support the work of the UN Syria special envoy towards the early resumption of the Geneva talks.

Wu also mentioned that any action taken by the Security Council on the question of Syria must be truly conducive to de-escalation and conducive to the political process owned and led by the Syrians under the good offices of the UN to arrive at a solution that is acceptable to all parties.

"These parties should demonstrate their good will, meet one another halfway, accumulate mutual trust and jointly strive towards a comprehensive, fair and proper solution to the question of Syria," he added.

The recent upsurge in fighting around Aleppo has caused more than 20,000 people forced to leave their homes over the past 72 hours, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

UN relief chief Stephen O'Brien told the council on Wednesday that it is estimated that up to 25,000 people have been displaced from their homes in eastern Aleppo since Saturday due to an upsurge in fighting.

Speaking to the council via video, O'Brien called on parties and those with influence to do everything in their power to protect civilians and enable access to the besieged part of eastern Aleppo before it becomes one giant graveyard. Enditem