THE South African government is concerned about the deaths of civilians in Afghanistan, and has called for constraint in the use by the US of military strikes, an official said on Tuesday. “While South Africa recognises the right of the United States government to track down the perpetrators of the September 11 terrorist attacks to face the full might of the law, the death of innocent civilians is a matter of concern,” deputy foreign minister Aziz Pahad said in a statement in Pretoria. “The South African government joins the international community in calling for restraint and care against the use of military strikes against civilians and the social and economic infrastructure,” he said. Regarding what Pahad described as the disastrous humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan, he said the South African government has called on the United Nations to address the refugee crisis and to ensure that emergency supplies are delivered to the Afghan population as soon as possible. Last week, South African President Thabo Mbeki said the fight against terrorism should be specific and short, minimising the danger to civilians. – AFP