BEIJING - China urges and supports the Arab League (AL) to continue its mediation efforts and play a positive and constructive role in peacefully and properly resolving the Syrian issue, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said Monday.

Spokesman Liu Weimin made the remarks at a daily press briefing when asked to comment on the United Nations Security Council's approval of establishing a joint UN-AL peacekeeping force.

Liu said Syria's stability is important for the peace and security of the Middle East.

"China hopes all relevant parties can proceed from the overall situation of peace and stability in Syria and the Middle East," Liu said, "and keep dialogue and communication to play positive and constructive role in pushing politically resolving the Syrian issue and easing the country's tension."

The UN should provide constructive help based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the basic norms guiding international relations, the spokesman said.

Liu said the actions taken by the UN's relevant organizations on the Syrian issues also should be in line with the UN Charter and international norms.

Their actions should be conducive to easing tension, pushing political dialogue, resolving differences and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East, rather than complicating the issue, Liu said.

The AL on Sunday made new moves aimed at ending the Syrian crisis, calling for a joint UN-AL peacekeeping force to monitor the situation while ending its own observer mission.