BEIJING - China on Wednesday recognized Libya's opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) "an important dialogue partner" as it hosted the first visit of the NTC leader to Beijing.

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"Since its creation, the NTC has increased its representativeness and gradually become a major political force. China sees it as an important dialogue partner," Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in a meeting with Chairman of the Executive Board of Libyan NTC Mahmoud Jibril on Wednesday.

Jibril arrived in China Tuesday for a two-day visit. It is the first time that the Libyan opposition leader has visited China. Libya has been in a state of turmoil since February.

"China is not seeking any private interest on the Libyan issue. China believes the Libyan issue is essentially Libyan internal issue," Yang said, stressing "the future of Libya should be left to be decided by Libyan people."

Yang urged the two sides in the Libyan conflicts to "truly give peace a chance," saying "this will work for the fundamental interests of the Libyan people."