South Africa has urged all parties to the Middle East conflict to ”maintain the cessation of hostilities” and work towards a solution.
In a statement on Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs welcomed the United Nations Security Council resolution adopted on Friday, which called for an immediate end to hostilities between Israel and Lebanon.
”This resolution opens up the possibilities of a permanent ceasefire and a comprehensive agreement for the whole region,” the department said.
It was regrettable that the security council was only able to act after five weeks of violence.
”Not only has the intensity of the Israeli response blatantly violated international law and the Geneva Convention, it has resulted in over a thousand deaths, thousands of injuries, over a million displaced people and the massive destruction of many parts of Lebanon.”
The destruction of Lebanese property and catastrophic humanitarian tragedy demanded that the international community responds urgently and positively to the needs of the Lebanese people.
Conditions should be created to enable the humanitarian agencies to do their work unhindered and in safety.
”The South African government urges all parties to maintain the cessation of hostilities and work for a comprehensive solution based on the Lebanese Prime Minister’s seven point plan and the relevant UN resolutions,” the department said. — Sapa