The resolution approved by the united?Nations General Assembly's third committee, which is in charge of the humanitarian affairs, on Tuesday, condemning "grave and systematic human rights violations by the Syrian authorities" is of little help in solving the ongoing Syrian crisis.

The prolonged clashes between Syrian security forces and anti-government protesters, which broke out in March, have resulted in thousands of deaths, including civilians and soldiers.

With the help of external forces, the opposition has been growing increasingly stronger in its confrontation with the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

Army defectors and protesters have begun fighting back at government forces and even assaulted military bases. It seems that a civil war, which is the last thing the international community wants, is just around the corner.

With this in mind, regional or international endeavors must concentrate on the goal of easing tensions in the country and maintaining peace and stability in the Middle East.

West-sponsored sanctions, or the threat of sanctions, against Damascus will only pour oil on the flames and grease the way for future military intervention in Syria.

By calling on the Syrian opposition to refrain from dialogue with the government, Western countries are sending the signal that they back the opposition to topple the government by means of violence.

Trying to repeat the "Libya model" in Syria is dangerous considering the geostrategic importance of the country in the Middle East and its intricate and delicate relations with neighboring countries, especially its close ties with Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas, all of which are hostile to the West.

Syria has long been seen as the region's most combustible geopolitical flashpoint. President Assad has warned that Western powers risk causing an "earthquake" and that "any problem in Syria will burn the whole region".

Prolonged instability in Syria, not to mention regime change and a subsequent shift in diplomacy, will lead to the formation of new regional alliances and change the current balance of power in the Middle East.

The Syrian crisis is far more complicated than the Libyan one, and the international community should show extra caution in resolving it.

China has always believed that constructive dialogue and cooperation is the only approach to the restoration of domestic order and the protection of human rights.

Both the authorities and the armed groups among the opposition in Syria should first immediately put an end to the violence. The Syrian government should keep its promises to move forward on a process of comprehensive reforms.

To ensure an inclusive and balanced political process, compromise and concessions from both sides are of vital importance, and external mediation can play its due role in this regard.

The international community can play a constructive role in creating conditions for the easing of tensions in Syria. Any outside force inciting an escalation of violence will only further deteriorate the humanitarian situation in Syria.

(China Daily 11/24/2011 page8)