As the United Nations steps up its leading role in coordinating international efforts to reconstruct Libya, China, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has also shown its strong support for the international community to promote Libya's development in the post-Gadhafi era.

During the high-level UN meeting on Libya in New York on Tuesday, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi offered four suggestions for handling the Libyan issue.

First, respect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Libya, and maintain bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect and benefit.

Second, launch an inclusive political process at an early date, safeguard Libyan ethnic solidarity and national unity, and put the reconstruction of Libya back on track.

Third, the global community should support Libya's reconstruction. China has already provided humanitarian support to Libya and will carry on in the near future.

Fourth, China supports the leading role of the Security Council, while other countries, international mechanisms and international conferences should also play a supplementary role under the guidance of the UN Charter and the newly adopted Resolution 2009 to help Libya in its reconstruction.

The meeting, convened by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the annual general debate of the 193-nation assembly, gathered participants from over 60 countries and regional groups, including US President Barack Obama and Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil.

The meeting was held against the backdrop of Resolution 2009 being passed by the council on Sept 19. The council reaffirmed the international support for a nationally led process aimed at building a democratic, independent and united Libya.

To this end, the Security Council also decided that the mandate of the UN Support Mission in Libya would be authorized for an initial three months. It should assist Libyan national efforts to restore public security, promote the rule of law, foster inclusive political dialogue and national reconciliation, and embark on constitution-making and electoral processes.

After six months of acute political crisis, the Gadhafi regime was toppled by the Libyan people. While Gadhafi is still on the run, he has lost the legitimacy to rule.

The NTC has gained the recognition of more than 80 UN members. The African Union (AU) on Tuesday endorsed the NTC as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, paving the way for the NTC to occupy Libya's seat in the AU.

China respects the choices of the Libyan people and officially recognized the NTC as Libya's ruling authority on Sept 12. Both sides have pledged to further develop the friendly relationship of the Chinese and Libyan people.

And we wish such mutual commitments will bear fruit as Libya finds its way toward stability and prosperity.