UNITED NATIONS, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday called for the proper handling of sanctions against Libya.

"We have always believed that sanctions are not an end, but rather a means. They should always serve the purposes of a political solution to the problems at hand," Ma Zhaoxu, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council.

While the sanctions on Libya should continue to be enforced, attention must be paid to avoiding their negative impact on the civilian population and on third countries, Ma noted.

"The sanctions should not jeopardize the overall interests of Libya as a nation and should not undermine the normal life and humanitarian needs of Libyans," he said.