Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim to undertake a five nation visit to Middle East, 23 April – 02 May 2010.

International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim will, on Friday 23 April 2010, embark on a five nation tour in Middle East. The main objective of the visit will be to exchange views on the Middle East Peace Process. This visit by Deputy Minister Ebrahim will afford him an opportunity to interact first hand with a number of regional role-players in the peace process. Countries to be visited include Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Palestine and Syria.

During the course of the visit the Deputy Minister is expected to meet with Foreign Ministers and other senior officials including from the Arab League. The Deputy Minister will also attend Freedom Day Celebrations organised by the South African Embassy in Damascus on 27 April 2010.

During the visit Deputy Minister Ebrahim will articulate the Government’s position that a comprehensive peace in the Middle East is crucial, not only for the peoples and countries of the region, but also for international peace and security. In this context the only viable option is to find a negotiated settlement in order to ensure a two-state solution, with the creation of a sovereign, democratic, independent, Palestinian State existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within secure and internationally recognised borders. The South African Government remains convinced that negotiations are the only way to end the conflict and to bring about an end to the occupation of Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian territories.

The visit will allow the Deputy Minister to speak with senior politicians in the region in order to gain a greater understanding of the regional dynamics and prospects for the resumption in negotiations.

For more information contact Chief Director for Public Diplomacy, Mr Saul Molobi on 082 940 1647.

Issued by the Department of International relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria, 0001

23 April 2010.