South Africa abstained from voting on the United Nations (UN) Security Council's resolution against Syria because of possible military intervention, the international relations department said on Thursday.
"We were concerned that this resolution should not be part of a hidden agenda to yet again institute regime change," spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.
"Accordingly, we are concerned that the sponsors of this resolution rejected language that clearly excluded military intervention in the resolution of the Syrian crisis."
On Wednesday, European countries criticised Russia and China for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution which threatened Syria with sanctions if it did not stop attacks on civilians, the Associated Press reported.
Nine members of the 15-nation council supported the resolution. It would have passed, had China and Russia not vetoed it. India, South Africa, Brazil and Lebanon abstained from voting.
It would have been the first legally binding Security Council resolution against Syria since President Bashar al-Assad's military began using tanks and soldiers to attack pro-democracy protesters in mid-March.
The UN estimated the crackdown has led to more than 2700 deaths, the Associated Press reported.
Monyela said South Africa was concerned about the sponsors' intention to impose punitive measures which would prejudge the implementation of the resolution.
"We believe that these were designed as a prelude to further actions."
The solution to the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Syria had to preserve country's unity, sovereignty and the territorial integrity.
"Syria is integral to a wider resolution to the Middle East conflict. Its stability is linked to that of its neighbours."
That was why any action by the international community against Syria, including by the Security Council, should take regional implications into account.
Security Council resolutions had recently been abused and their implementation went far beyond the mandate of what was intended, Monyela said.
South Africa maintained the Security Council should proceed with caution on Syria, so as not to exacerbate an already volatile situation.
"It is for these reasons that South Africa abstained on the resolution."
South Africa hoped the situation would be resolved in a peaceful manner and in accordance with the will of the Syrian people, Monyela said.
"A holistic political solution must be found that would respect democracy, political reform, justice, human rights as well as the socio-economic development needs of the people of Syria, in order to ensure long-term peace and stability."
SA abstains from UN Syria vote
South Africa abstained from voting on the United Nations (UN) Security Council's resolution against Syria because of possible military intervention, the international relations department said on Thursday.
"We were concerned that this resolution should not be part of a hidden agenda to yet again institute regime change," spokesman Clayson Monyela said in a statement.
"Accordingly, we are concerned that the sponsors of this resolution rejected language that clearly excluded military intervention in the resolution of the Syrian crisis."
On Wednesday, European countries criticised Russia and China for vetoing a UN Security Council resolution which threatened Syria with sanctions if it did not stop attacks on civilians, the Associated Press reported.
Nine members of the 15-nation council supported the resolution. It would have passed, had China and Russia not vetoed it. India, South Africa, Brazil and Lebanon abstained from voting.
It would have been the first legally binding Security Council resolution against Syria since President Bashar al-Assad's military began using tanks and soldiers to attack pro-democracy protesters in mid-March.
The UN estimated the crackdown has led to more than 2700 deaths, the Associated Press reported.
Monyela said South Africa was concerned about the sponsors' intention to impose punitive measures which would prejudge the implementation of the resolution.
"We believe that these were designed as a prelude to further actions."
The solution to the deteriorating political and humanitarian situation in Syria had to preserve country's unity, sovereignty and the territorial integrity.
"Syria is integral to a wider resolution to the Middle East conflict. Its stability is linked to that of its neighbours."
That was why any action by the international community against Syria, including by the Security Council, should take regional implications into account.
Security Council resolutions had recently been abused and their implementation went far beyond the mandate of what was intended, Monyela said.
South Africa maintained the Security Council should proceed with caution on Syria, so as not to exacerbate an already volatile situation.
"It is for these reasons that South Africa abstained on the resolution."
South Africa hoped the situation would be resolved in a peaceful manner and in accordance with the will of the Syrian people, Monyela said.
"A holistic political solution must be found that would respect democracy, political reform, justice, human rights as well as the socio-economic development needs of the people of Syria, in order to ensure long-term peace and stability."
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