China asks UN to lead post-war efforts in Libya

China has asked the United Nations to lead post-war reconstruction in Libya, urging a smooth political transition in the North African state after rebels overran Moamer Kadhafi's Tripoli compound.

Beijing also said it was willing to help with efforts to return stability to Libya as the rebels battled the last remnants of Kadhafi's forces. China, which long supported the Kadhafi regime, has invested billions of dollars in rail, oil and telecoms in Libya, and has commercial and strategic reasons for not wanting Western countries to exert too much influence there.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi urged UN chief Ban Ki-moon to take a lead in the reconstruction of Libya, where NATO has waged an aerial bombing campaign to defend civilians against attacks by Kadhafi's loyalists.

"The UN should play a leading role in post-war arrangements in Libya," Yang told Ban in a telephone conversation on Tuesday, according to a foreign ministry statement. "China... is willing to work with the UN to promote stability in Libya," added Yang, who also called on the United Nations to work with other regional organisations such as the African Union and the Arab League.

Britain, France and the United States have thrown diplomatic and financial support behind the Libyan opposition and Yang's comments appeared to indicate a reluctance to allow them to take control of the reconstruction efforts.