Steps by the Government to ensure a peaceful transition Syria after the resignation of Mr Kofi Annan as UN Special Envoy to Syria and his acknowledgement that diplomacy failed as a measure to bring about peace

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NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

FOR ORAL REPLY

QUESTION NO: 220 (NO2589E)

PUBLISHED IN QUESTION PAPER NO 7-2012 OF 22 AUGUST 2012

Mr Ian Davidson (DA) to ask the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation

with reference to the resignation of Mr Kofi Annan as UN Special Envoy to Syria and his acknowledgement that diplomacy failed as a measure to bring about peace in Syria, what steps does the Government intend to take to ensure a peaceful transition in that country?

REPLY:

The South African Government is committed to encouraging all parties involved in the current conflict in Syria to engage in a process of all-inclusive national dialogue, free of any form of violence, intimidation or outside interference aimed at regime change, in order to satisfy the legitimate democratic aspirations of the Syrian people.  It will continue to promote this approach in the United Nations Security Council, where South Africa is a non-permanent member until December this year, and at the upcoming Summit of the Non-aligned Movement, scheduled to be held in Iran later this month, as well as within the important groupings of BRICS and IBSA.

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