China supports Libyan reconstruction

China and Libya on Monday vowed to cooperate in Libya's reconstruction. The pledge came out of a meeting between Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and visiting Libyan Foreign Minister Ashour Ben Khayil at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing. "China will encourage its companies to participate in Libya's reconstruction," China's news agency (Xinhua) quoted Xi as saying. The Chinese official said the political and economic reconstruction in Libya has entered a crucial period, noting however the progress made by the Libyan interim government in maintaining the country's stability, resuming economic development, and promoting national reconciliation. He said the Chinese side sincerely hopes that Libya will achieve long-term stability and prosperity. For his part, the Libyan top diplomat hailed China's "fair and responsible" stance concerning Libya. He said Libya attaches high importance to its relations with China and welcomes China to join in Libya's reconstruction. Khayil is visiting China from June 9 to 13 at the invitation of Yang. The visit is his first since the interim cabinet took office last November.