Since the outbreak of the armed conflict between Israel and Lebanon, Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Hu Jintao has been highly concerned about the safety of Chinese citizens in Lebanon and made important instructions to related Chinese departments to try their best to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens in Lebanon.

After being informed of the tragic death of a Chinese peacekeeper in the Israeli air raid in Lebanon early this morning, President Hu instructed the departments concerned to condemn the attack on UN peacekeepers and expressed his deep condolences on the victims and sincere sympathy for their families. He demanded that the Chinese departments concerned properly handle the aftermath of the incident and take every measure necessary to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals in Lebanon.