China repeats call for political resolution in Syria

China on Thursday repeated its call for a political resolution to issues concerning Syria, pledging to continue to maintain contact with both the Syrian government and the opposition. “China always regards a political resolution as an only and realistic option for resolving the Syria issue,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told a routine press conference in Beijing. He noted that the current priority in the issue involves fully implementing the Action Group’s Geneva Communique, reached on June 30, 2012, in an aim to secure a ceasefire, end violence, and initiate political dialogue and a political transition among relevant parties. Hong’s comment came after the Arab League issued a declaration on Tuesday to grant Syria’s long-vacant seat to the exiled opposition coalition and acknowledged the right of its member states to provide the Syrian opposition with all means of self-defense. “The international community should play a positive and constructive role in seeking a political settlement,” Hong said, adding that China has always been contributing its efforts to promoting peace and dialogue. “We have maintained contact with the Syrian government and the opposition, and we will continue to do so in the future,” Hong said. Menwhile in Damascus, the Syrian State TV announced here Friday that 15 people have been killed when mortar shells struck the campus of Dmascus University. Official SANA news agency however said that 10 students have been killed in the attack, 29 others have been injured. The rebel mortar bombs landed on the cafeteria of the university’s architecture department. The college is in Baramkeh, a central Damascus suburb where mortar attacks by rebels fighting to oust President Bashar al-Assad have intensified this week. The university is surrounded by government buildings, including the Ministry of Defense, the headquarters for state media and the president’s official residence. Rebels have intensified mortar attacks in the last week.