China Thursday called upon the international community to honor its commitments to the assistance to Iraq in order to help Iraq with expediting its economic recovery and social development.

The appeal came as La Yifan, minister-counselor of China's Permanent Mission to the UN, was speaking at an open session of the UN Security Council on Iraq.

"We call upon the international community to stand by their commitments to Iraqi assistance," he said, adding that the international community should also encourage Iraq's increasing cooperation with its regional neighbors.

Earlier this year, provincial elections had been successfully held in Iraq, he noted, adding that Iraqi security forces were increasingly taking over responsibility from international forces.

At the same time, Iraq still faced challenges in political, security, human rights, reconstruction and national reconciliation areas, he said, citing the fact that bombings continued to occur and matters regarding internal boundaries remained unresolved.

The primary responsibility for the future destiny of Iraq rested with the people of the country and they relied on their political leaders to put the needs of the State above all else, and to work together to ensure peace, security and stability, he said.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2009)