China urges South Sudan parties to ensure personnel safety

A Chinese envoy to the UN on Friday called on all parties of South Sudan to take effective measures to stop violence, protect civilians and ensure the safety of personnel.

The UN Security Council has been watching closely on development of the situation in South Sudan and supported the efforts of the UN and the African Union which seek to reach a dialogue between all parties of the country to realize peaceful resolution, said Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the UN, after the council's closed-door consultation on South Sudan.

"The members of the Security Council expressed grave alarm and concern regarding the rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian crisis in South Sudan," said a press statement issued after the consultation. "The council strongly condemned the attacks on oil installations, which resulted in heavy loss of life of oil workers, and called upon all parties to ensure the security of economic infrastructures and the safety of the employees."

While reiterating that the council called for the protection of the UN peacekeeping mission, oil facilities and personnel, as suggested by China and other council members, Liu urged all relevant parties of South Sudan to abide by the council's statement.

"China is ready to make efforts, together with other members of the Security Council, to push forward an early restoration of security, stability and order in South Sudan," said Liu.

Since fighting broke out Sunday between forces loyal to South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar, some 500 people have been killed so far in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Kiir accused Machar of orchestrating a military coup against him. Incidents of ethnic violence have been reported in many parts of the country.