30 March 2012

The South African Government welcomes the announcement by the Syrian Government that it has accepted the proposals by the United  Nations and League of Arab States Special Envoy for Syria, former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan, to end the violence in the country; provide for international humanitarian assistance for the population affected by the conflict; and to arrange for peaceful dialogue leading to a political transformation in the country.

In welcoming this announcement, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim called on all other parties involved in the conflict to also accept the proposals of the Special Envoy and to commit to peaceful dialogue with the Syrian Government in order to promote an all-inclusive process of negotiations, free of any form of violence or intimidation, leading to a political outcome  that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people.

Enquiries: Clayson Monyela on 082 884 5974

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation 460 Soutpansberg Road Rietondale Pretoria