Chinese state media accused the US and Europe of "harboring hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria, after Western and Arab nations ratcheted up pressure on Bashar al-Assad at a meeting in Tunisia

Chinese state media on Saturday accused the US and Europe of "harboring hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria, after Western and Arab nations ratcheted up pressure on Bashar al-Assad at a meeting in Tunisia.
  
In a commentary Beijing's official Xinhua news agency said that "most of the Arab countries have begun to realize that the United States and Europe are hiding a dagger behind a smile".
  
"In other words, while they appear to be acting out of humanitarian concern, they are actually harboring hegemonistic ambitions," it said.
  
Xinhua said that the Friends of Syria conference -- which was boycotted by both China and Russia -- "concluded with a consensus on avoiding a militarization of the conflict in Syria".
  
Xinhua said that China "did not attend the conference as it wants more clarity on the aim, effect and mechanism" of the meeting. It said Arab countries wanted "to make sure a tragedy similar to Libya's would not unfold in Syria".
  
Xinhua also noted that there had been demonstrations in Tunisia "to protest against the meddling of some Western and Arab countries in Syria's internal affairs." The agency said that demonstrators had labeled the meeting the "Enemies of Syria Conference", and had accused the gathering of "seeking to legitimize external intervention."
  
"As a friend of the Syrian and Arab peoples, China believes any action taken by the international community should help to cease tensions, boost political dialogues, resolve differences and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East," it added.