China, Russia call for calm in Middle East after US strike

BEIJING/ MOSCOW (92 News) – The Chinese and Russian governments have called for calm in the Middle East, in its first reaction to the US airstrike that killed Qasem Soleimani. US airstrike will lead to growing tensions in the Middle East, Geng Shuang, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. During his weekly press briefing, he said, “We attach high importance to the recent incidents. China has always opposed the use of forces in the international relations, and advocates that all parties should practically abide by the purpose and principle of UN Charter and basic norm of international relations.” “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq should be respected, and the peace and stability in the Middle East and Gulf area should be maintained,” the spokesperson maintained. “We urge all the concerned parties, especially the US, to exercise restraint and prevent the escalation of the tensions,” he added. Russia's Foreign Ministry has said the US airstrike will lead to growing tensions in the Middle East and issued condolences to the Iranian people, according to Russian state-run news agency TASS reported. “We consider Soleimani’s murder in a US missile strike in the suburbs of Baghdad an adventurous step that will lead to growing tensions throughout the region,” Russian Foreign Ministry representative said. Soleimani devotedly served the cause of protecting Iran’s national interests. “We are offering our sincere condolences to the Iranian people,” the statement added. Top Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis was also killed in the attack, a militia spokesman said. “This strike was aimed at deterring future Iranian attack plans,” the Pentagon said in a statement. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed in a statement that Soleimani was killed. Ahmed al-Assadi, a spokesman for Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF). “The American and Israeli enemy is responsible for killing the Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani,” he said. Strikes had been carried out against two targets linked to Iran in Baghdad on Thursday, US officials earlier told Reuters. Iraqi paramilitary groups said on Friday that three rockets hit Baghdad International Airport, killing five members of Iraqi paramilitary groups and two “guests”.