Pretoria -South Africa has condemned the reported use of chemical weapons in the civil war in Syria earlier this week.
“The alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria is of serious concern and would introduce an extremely dangerous element into the conflict, which is wholly unacceptable by any standard,” International Relations Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim said in a statement on Wednesday.
He said the use of chemical weapons was of serious concern, as innocent civilians would be targeted.
It was reported on Tuesday that a missile containing a chemical substance was fired into a village in Allepo province, killing 31
people and injuring 100.
“Since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, South Africa has condemned the abuse of human rights, in particular violations of the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women and children,” said Ebrahim.
“South Africa rejects any calls for forced regime change and outside military interference, or any action not in line with the Charter of the United Nations,” he said. - Sapa