China Says Arab League 'Effective' in Syria

Beijing on Wednesday defended the Arab League's widely criticized observer mission in Syria, as the U.N. Security Cocil struggled to agree on a resolution on Damascus' crackdown on dissent.

China, a permanent veto-wielding member of the Security Cocil, urged both sides to cooperate with the Arab League, saying the security situation in Syria had improved since it began its mission there.

The Arab League mission has been criticized for failing to end violence in Syria where the ited Nations says the regime's crackdown on protests has cost more than 5,400 lives since March.

"Since the Arab League observer mission began, the violence in Syria has not completely ended, but the security situation of major areas has improved, which shows the mission is effective," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Liu Weimin.

"The Chinese side calls on all parties in Syria to fully cooperate with the Arab league in its mediation efforts. The Chinese side supports the settlement of the Syrian issue within the framework of the Arab league."

China made the comments as fellow Security Cocil member Russia said it would reject any use of sanctions or deployment of troops over the rest in Syria.

China and Russia last year vetoed a Security Cocil resolution condemning the crackdown -- saying it would be used as an excuse to carry out regime change -- in a move condemned by Western governments.

Days later, Beijing urged Damascus to speed up the implementation of reforms, veering away from its longstanding policy of non-interference in the cotry's affairs.

U.N. diplomats said experts from the 15 members of the Security Cocil held prolonged talks on Tuesday on a proposed Russian resolution on Syria without getting closer to U.N. action on the bloodshed.

Western nations say blame for the violence should not be attributed equally to the Syrian government and opposition, as demanded by Russia.

The United States, France and Germany said before the talks that the current Russian text was acceptable.