17 May 2007
South African Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad today, Thursday, 17 May,
expressed South Africa's concern over the continuing violent clashes between
armed Palestinian factions affiliated to the Fatah Movement and the Islamic
Resistance Movement (HAMAS) in Palestine.
In this regard, Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad "regrets the deaths of more than
40 Palestinians over the last five days coming in the wake of efforts by the
Arab League to boost the Arab Peace Initiative on the international scene."
"It is the view of the South African Government that the Palestinian
infighting would complicate the quest for peace by drawing the attention away
from this critical opportunity to take the peace process forward" continued
Deputy Minister Pahad.
"The South African Government therefore joins calls by both Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismael Haniyeh for efforts to keep
the Palestinian Government of National Unity intact," said Deputy Minister
Pahad.
"The collapse of the National Unity Government would only serve the
interests of those who do not want to see Israelis and Palestinians living in
peace with each other, in separate states within internationally recognised
borders. South Africa, accordingly, calls on all Palestinians to end the
violence and re-focus the Palestinian leadership on the peace process"
concluded Deputy Minister Pahad.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
17 May 2007
Source: SAPA
