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30 May 2012

The South African Government has condemned the horrific killing of men, women and children in the Syrian village of El-Houleh, near Homs, over the past weekend. The Government has also extended its sincere condolences to the families of the victims in Al-Houleh and elsewhere in the country. 

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ebrahim Ebrahim, said: "We find the use of violence in Syria repugnant and appeal to all parties to the conflict to immediately cease the violence in all manner and forms." 

"Those responsible for these criminal acts of violence must be held accountable,” said Deputy Minister Ebrahim, expressing South Africa’s support for an immediate and thorough investigation of these events with the involvement of the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS).

Deputy Minister Ebrahim further called on all parties to the conflict to support and ensure the implementation of the six-Point Peace Plan for Syria as presented by the Joint Special Envoy, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. 

“The Annan Plan offers hope and an opportunity for settlement of the conflict through diplomacy and dialogue that allows for the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people to be responded to. All parties should commit active efforts to see its success materialises,” said Deputy Minister Ebrahim. 

For further information please contact:
Clayson Monyela
Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974

Issued by: Department of International Relations and Cooperation
30 May 2012

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