BEIJING - China welcomes the formation of Libya's interim government and wishes to push forward the China-Libya relationship, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.

"The establishment of Libya's interim government marks an important step forward in Libya's political transition process," said the ministry's spokesman Liu Weimin.

Noting that the Chinese government welcomed the establishment of the interim government, Liu said China hoped that peace would come quickly to the people of Libya.

"We hope Libya can develop smoothly in political and economic reconstruction and maintain social stability and national reconciliation," said Liu.

According to Liu, China is ready to work with Libya to push forward bilateral relations and to play a constructive role in Libya's reconstruction.

Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) formed an interim government on Tuesday to lead the post-war reconstruction until parliamentary elections next year.

The line-up dropped several seasoned officials in favor of appointees who will soothe rivalries between regional factions.

"All of Libya is represented," Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib told a news conference as he unveiled the line-up.

The foreign minister's job went to Ashour Bin Hayal, from the eastern city of Derna, a long-standing stronghold against the ousted ruler.

Hassan Ziglam, an oil industry executive, was named as finance minister, and Abdulrahman Ben Yezza, a former executive with Italian oil major ENI, was made oil minister.

The cabinet included two women, heading the ministries of health and social affairs.

The new defense minister is Osama Al-Juwali, commander of the military council in the town of Zintan. His forces captured Saif al-Islam Gadhafi last weekend and flew him to their hometown.

On a visit to Tripoli, the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said that Saif al-Islam could be tried inside Libya as long as the trial complies with the court's standards.

Xinhua-Reuters