18 February 2012 Last updated at 03:57 ET
China's visiting envoy to Syria has called on all sides in the country to end violence, after holding talks with President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

Syrian TV quoted Zhai Jun as saying he backed the Syrian government's plan for a referendum on the constitution and subsequent elections.

The opposition says it cannot accept a referendum during continuing violence.

It said government forces on Saturday renewed their bombardment of opposition positions in the city of Homs.

Syrian TV quoted Mr Zhai as saying: "The position of China is to call on the government, the opposition and the rebels to halt acts of violence immediately.

"We hope that the referendum on a new constitution as well as the forthcoming parliamentary elections pass off calmly."

Mr Zhai said he hoped "calm [can] be restored as quickly as possibly, as that serves the interests of the Syrian people".

The opposition has called for a boycott of the 26 February referendum.

One key group, the National Coordination Committee for Democratic Change, said it was "impossible for us to take part in this referendum before a stop to the violence and killings".



Article Source : BBC News

Similar Newsgab Articles: