"The British side hoped that the United Nations would play a key role in post-war arrangements," Straw was quoted by the People's Daily as saying in a late Monday night telephone conversation.

The British foreign ministry also briefed Li on the recent summit between US President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair at Camp David, the report said.

"A proper settlement of the Iraq issue is eventually inseparable from the United Nations, and China will join the international community in safeguarding the UN's role in international affairs and the authority of the UN Security Council," Li said.

Li expressed concern over the situation in Iraq, saying that the war has resulted in many Iraqi civilian casualties, sparked off a humanitarian catastrophe and added uncertain factors to the stability of the Gulf region.

China, as one of the five permanent veto-wielding members of UN Security Council, plays a crucial role in UN decisions.

SPACE.WIRE