Chinese president discusses Iran, Middle East with Israeli premier

Jan 11, 2007, 11:50 GMT

Beijing - Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday discussed the Middle East and Iran with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, repeating China's call to resolve both issues through dialogue.

China hopes for an early resolution of the Middle East conflict through dialogue under the 'land for peace' principle, the semi-official China News Service quoted Hu as telling Olmert.

'China, together with the international community, will continue to play a constructive role' in the Middle East peace process, Hu said.

Olmert told Hu that Israel 'appreciates China's principled position on the Middle East and other regional issues,' the agency said.

During talks with Olmert on Wednesday, Premier Wen Jiabao urged diplomatic efforts for the resumption of talks with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme.

Olmert had reportedly sought a tough line from China if new sanctions against Tehran were called for in the coming months.

Wen said the question of the Palestinians was the core of the Middle East problem.

Israel, Syria and Lebanon should take practical action to create trust and an atmosphere for talks with the Palestinians, state television quoted him as saying

Olmert's visit, the third to China by an Israeli prime minister, was timed to mark the 15th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

But the visit was overshadowed by news that Olmert was the subject of a new police investigation for corruption back home.

Olmert, who has consistently rejected the allegations, has been accused of corruption several times but never convicted.