Syria is hoping that South Africa can help it with key problems in the Middle East, its Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Faisal Mikdad, said on Wednesday.
Mikdad has been sent to South Africa as a special envoy of Syrian President Bashar al-Asad to deliver a letter to President Thabo Mbeki highlighting problems in the Middle East.
”The message looks at possibilities where we can work together to solve these problems,” Mikdad said.
He met with South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad in Pretoria on Wednesday to discuss tensions in Iraq, Lebanon and between Israel and Palestine.
Pahad said South Africa believes that dialogue is necessary to solve the problems and will do anything possible to assist.
Mikdad arrived in South Africa on Tuesday and has already met Education Minister Naledi Pandor. He was also scheduled to meet Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils and Minister in the Presidency, Essop Pahad. — Sapa