(UN) Secretary-General on the Gaza Ceasefire Agreement
22 May 2007
Pretoria: South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad,
today, Tuesday, 22 May 2007 welcomed the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon's
statement thanking Egypt for brokering the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza and
expressing his hope that the ceasefire holds.
In this regard, Deputy Minister Pahad reiterated the South African
government's position that violence amongst the Palestinians is not in the
interest of the Palestinian people's desire for peace, stability, prosperity
and a Palestinian state and therefore it is absolutely essential that the
ceasefire holds.
The UN Secretary General also expressed his deep concern about continuing
rocket attacks against Israeli citizens and said this was "unacceptable and
violates international law." Deputy Minister Pahad calls on the Palestinians to
cease such attacks.
The UN Secretary General also expressed his concerns "by the mounting number
of civilian casualties from Israeli military operations, especially the
targeted attack on the home of a Hamas legislator in Gaza, which killed six
members of one family. While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, he
calls on Israel to abide by international law and to ensure that its actions do
not target civilians or put them at undue risk."
Deputy Minister Pahad said that the continuing military offensive makes it
very difficult to achieve a peaceful negotiated solution and called on the
Israeli government to stop its military actions against civilian targets.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
22 May 2007
Source: SAPA
