Beijing: Concerned over the "worsening humanitarian situation" in Iraq, China on March 25 asked the US to return to the "correct path" of a political settlement of the Iraq issue and said Washington must recognise the authority of the United Nations.

"The status and authority of the United Nations must be upheld, and its leading role in resolving the Iraq issue should be guaranteed," the newly-appointed state Councillor Tang Jiaxuan said.

During a meeting with Samuel Berger, former National Security Advisor to the US President, Tang said China urged the US, Britain and other countries to stop the military actions as soon as possible to try their best to avoid casualties of innocent civilians.

Tang, till recently China's Foreign Minister, urged Washington to return to the "correct path" of a political settlement of the Iraq issue.

During the meeting, Tang also reiterated China's strong appeal for an end to military actions against Iraq, and called for a political settlement of the Iraq issue, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

At the same time, he stressed that Iraq should not possess any weapons of mass destruction, while Baghdad's sovereignty and territorial integrity should be respected.

PTI