April 5, 2003	Saturday	Safar 2, 1424

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BEIJING, April 4: China and Russia on Friday urged the end of hostilities in Iraq and expressed joint concern over the humanitarian disaster being wreaked upon the country by the US and British-led war.

“Russia and China express deep concern about the continuation of military operations in Iraq, in particular the two sides express concern over the serious humanitarian consequences,” a joint statement issued in Beijing said.

The statement came during a visit to China by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yuri Fedotov who was consulting Beijing on the Iraqi issue, Russian Embassy officials said.

The two neighbours also expressed concerns that the Iraqi conflict could spill over from a local war to a larger conflict that could influence regional and global security and development.

“The two sides urge the relevant countries to stop military operations and seek a political solution,” it said.

The statement also called on the United Nations to play a central role in the resolution of the Iraqi question. —AFP