China condemns hit on UN forces, urges ceasefire

BEIJING, Aug 7 (Reuters) China condemned the wounding of three of its UN peacekeepers during spiralling conflict between Israel and Hizbollah forces in Lebanon and called for an immediate ceasefire in statements late Yesterday.

Three Chinese members of United Nations peace-keeping operations in southern Lebanon were injured when a Hizbollah mortar landed nearby. A Chinese officer was among four UN observers killed by an Israeli air raid in southern Lebanon on July 25.

''China is seriously concerned and strongly displeased,'' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said of the latest incident, according to the ministry website (www.fmprc.gov.cn).

''We urge an immediate ceasefire among the parties to this conflict with a return to the track of negotiations and a political solution as quickly as possibly,'' Qin said.

Earlier yesterday, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also called for an immediate ceasefire in a phone call to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the foreign ministry said.

''The (UN) Security Council should act as quickly as possible to prevent the conflict expanding,'' Li said.

China yesterday sent a special envoy to the West Asia, including Lebanon and Israel, to urge an end to the conflict.

REUTERS DH RK0713