Riyaz Patel
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for a “peaceful and just” resolution of tensions between Iran and the United States.
He made the call during a telephone conversation with President Hassan Rouhani of the Islamic Republic of Iran Thursday.
President Ramaphosa expressed deep concern at the military action by the United States which has led to increased tension and created conditions for retaliation.
He also spoke of the need of all countries of the world to observe United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the UN Charter.
The Charter calls on all member states to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations.
President Ramaphosa called on all sides to exercise maximum restraint and conduct themselves “within the rule of international law.”
President Ramaphosa said the escalating tensions in the Middle East had far-reaching implications for the region as well as international peace and security.
Ramaphosa conveyed South Africa’s condolences at the assassination of the Quds Commander, Major-General Qasem Soleimani in a US military strike in Iraq last Friday.
He also expressed South Africa’s sadness at the loss of life from the crash of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 shortly after take-off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on Wednesday, 8 January 2020.
President Ramaphosa’s engagement with President Rouhani was informed by South Africa’s “principled view that conflicts should be resolved through political dialogue rather than the use of force,” a statement from the presidency said.
The engagement was also framed by South Africa’s role as a Non-Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council and Incoming Chair of the African Union, the statement added.
Ramaphosa expressed to President Rouhani his expectation that the international community make every effort to secure a peaceful and just outcome which will advance global peace, enable global trade and provide security for ordinary people in all parts of the world.
