At a meeting with Jordanian Prime Minister Ali Abu Ragheb, Hu said China hopes that the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations will yield positive results.

China has all along supported the Mideast peace process, holding that the Middle East problem should have a comprehensive, fair and permanent solution based on the U.N. Security Council resolutions 242 and 338 and the "land-for-peace" principle.

As Arab countries' sincere friend, China firmly supports their righteous demand to retrieve all their lands occupied by Israel and the just cause of the Palestinians to regain their legitimate national rights, Hu pointed out.

Also, as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China has made and will continue to make contributions to the advancement of the Mideast peace process.

On the Iraq Issue, Hu said that the decade-old sanctions on the country has not only brought severe sufferings to its people, but also constituted an obstacle to peace, stability and development of the Gulf region.

Reiterating China's position on the Iraq issue, Hu said that China has always stood for a quick, fair and reasonable solution based on relevant resolutions adopted by the U.N. Security Council.

Iraq should fulfil its full obligations set by U.N. security council resolutions faithfully, Hu said. Meanwhile, Iraq's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence should be accorded due respect, he said, adding that any violations of international law and relevant U.N. resolutions should be rejected.

Ragheb told Hu that China has cared and supported the righteous struggle of the Arab people as a driving force of the Mideast peace process.

China has also played an important and constructive role in promoting a lifting of sanctions on Iraq, He added.

The Jordanian government highly appreciates China's principled stands on Middle East issues and its unremitting efforts in the region for many years, the prime minister said.

Hu is on the first day of his two-day official visit to Jordan, the third leg of his five-nation tour which also includes Iran, Syria, Cyprus and Uganda.

(Xinhua 01/14/2001)