Wang urges Kabul to seek ceasefire with Islamabad
Foreign Minister Wang Yi has said that issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan can only be resolved through dialogue and consultation. Wang told his Afghan counterpart, Amir Khan Muttaqi, in a phone call that the dispute with Pakistan should not be resolved through force. Wang urged both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint, hold face-to-face talks as soon as possible, seek an immediate ceasefire and address differences through dialogue, according to a Foreign Ministry statement published on Friday. The further use of force would only complicate the situation and intensify tensions, Wang said. The ministry's statement came after Pakistan on Friday bombed the fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Afghanistan's Kandahar airport, stepping up the neighbours' worst conflict in years. Wang and Muttaqi also exchanged views on the situation in Iran, the statement said. Wang told Muttaqi, according to the statement, that Beijing is willing to work with the international community, including Afghanistan, to bring peace to Iran. (Xinhua & Reuters) Edited by Thomas McAlinden