South African government calls for peaceful resolution of differences in world

The South African government on Friday condemned violence in some regions in the world, calling for peaceful resolution to conflicts. Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Ebrahim Ebrahim made the remarks when addressing the media in Pretoria on international developments. He condemned the attack on the United Nations (UN) Common Compound in Somalia on June 19, 2013, that killed at least 15 people, including two South Africans. "It is tragic that the international organization UN promoting peace, social and economic development and humanitarian assistance to the Somali government and people of the country has come under attack," Ebrahim Ebrahim said. The South African government is certain that the UN office in Somalia will continue its sterling work in support of the Somali government and people of the country despite this temporary setback, he said. He called on the international community to support the government of Somalia to bring about total peace and stability in that country. The South African government expressed concern on the continued violence in Syria. "We have constantly called on all the parties to the conflict to stop the violence as well as respect and protect the rights of the Syrian population," the deputy minister added. In talking about the G8 summit, Ebrahim said South Africa is disappointed that G8 leaders failed to agree on a way to peacefully resolve the Syrian crisis, believing that any delay in resolving the Syrian crisis will have grievous results. The deputy minister expressed satisfaction over the recently- held Southern African Development summit in Mozambique, during which the Zimbabwean government was asked to delay holding elections by two weeks.