China set to welcome Libyan opposition leader

BEIJING – Libya's opposition leader is expected to arrive in China on Tuesday, further boosting Beijing's engagement in the North African country's civil war and dealing another setback to Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi.

China's Foreign Ministry has said Mahmoud Jibril will make a two-day visit, but other details of his itinerary have yet to be released. Jibril chairs the executive board of the rebel council trying to unseat Gadhafi.

China stayed on the sidelines for months after the revolt against Gadhafi's government erupted in mid-February, but has recently stepped up efforts to promote a settlement.