Beijing: Concerned over Iraq situation, China on March 18 called on UN Security Council members to work together to avoid a war as long as there is a "glimpse of hope".

"China is concerned and worried about the current Iraqi situation," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said commenting on US President George W Bush's ultimatum to the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein to quit the country within 48 hours or face war.

He said, "War seems to be imminent and all members of the Security Council should work together to avoid it.

"China's principled position on the Iraqi issue remains unchanged and China is ready to work with the international community to avoid war," Kong said.

"As long as there is a glimpse of hope, we will not give up our efforts for a political and peaceful solution," he said.

Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, reacting to the statement of Bush, restated China's stand that the Iraqi issue should be resolved politically under the framework of the United Nations.

"China stands for a peaceful solution of the Iraq issue within the framework of the United Nations through political means. Every effort should be made to avoid war," Wen said.

Wen's comment was the first official comment from China, a veto-wielding member of the UN Security Council, on Bush's ultimatum.

At the same time, Wen also urged Iraq to fully comply with the UN resolutions and not to possess any weapons of mass destruction.

PTI