UN, MOSCOW, (SANA) – China's Representative to the United Nations Li Baodong said that China supports extending the mission of the United Nations Supervision Mission In Syria (UNSMIS).

Xinhua News Agency quoted Baodong as saying that Russia's draft resolution is in line with China's point of view in this regard.

He added that it is difficult for China to agree on Britain's draft resolution as it is under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

"The priority, concerning the crisis in Syria, is that the international community should continue supporting the efforts of the UN Envoy Kofi Annan and the statement of the Geneva meeting with the aim of alleviating tension and pushing forwards the political solution for the crisis," Baodong said.

He stressed that the political process in Syria should be led by the Syrians themselves, highlighting that all plans should be discussed with all the Syrian sides.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister: Annan Supports Extending UNSMIS Mission

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov on Tuesday said that the UN Envoy to Syria, Kofi Annan, supports the Russian suggestion on extending the work of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).

In statements made after the meeting between Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Annan, Gatilov said that "We believe that the mission is playing an important and constructive role in stabilizing the situation, Annan supports us in this regard."

Gatilov added that Lavrov and Annan stressed that the results of Geneva meeting should be supported.

M. Nassr/ Ghossoun