South Africa calls for Middle East restraint
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) – South Africa has joined other African countries in expressing concern at developments in the Middle East following the retaliatory action by Iran against Israel following Israel’s attacks on Iran’s Embassy in Damascus on 1 April.
Pretoria has emphasised that all parties must exercise the utmost restraint and avoid any act that would escalate tensions in a particularly fragile region.
"South Africa has continuously stressed that irrespective of whether states believe that their use of force is lawful, it is never wise to resort to war as inevitably, it is ordinary people who bear the brunt of conflict," said presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
He said the international community and the United Nations Security Council, in particular, must act in the pursuit of sustainable and just peace for all people.
"The proliferation of global conflicts will continue if we, as the international community, do not commit ourselves to the ending of war and the establishment of conditions under which justice and respect for international law are maintained," Magwenya added.
Nigeria, Kenya and Somalia have called for restraint to avoid further escalation. Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday urged Israel “to show utmost restraint taking into account the urgent need for all parties to walk away from the brink beyond which recovery will be enormously difficult”.
-0- PANA CU/MA 16April2024
