"Van Cliburn was an international legend for over five decades, a great humanitarian and a brilliant musician whose light will continue to shine through his extraordinary legacy, " she said Wednesday.

CNN: Legendary pianist Van Cliburn dead at 78

China's self-image as a responsible great power was also on show, however, with a large new hospital ship, useful for humanitarian missions.

ECONOMIST: China flaunts its naval muscle

"I'm glad to see that this is not just a one dimensional military campaign but that great emphasis has been placed on the humanitarian aspect, " he said.

BBC: Conditional support for Afghan strikes

The Council should also move a great deal faster, he said, and this would lead to more efficient humanitarian intervention.

BBC: Mbeki: 'UN must tackle African crises'

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's worst humanitarian and economic crisis since its independence from Great Britain in 1980 rages on, with a cholera epidemic that has claimed nearly 2, 000 lives since August.

CNN: Zimbabwe: Rights activist is 'threat to society'