The South African government considers any attack on a diplomatic or consular establishment as a flagrant violation of international law that offers protection to diplomatic and consular representatives in a host state, International Relations and Cooperation spokesman Clayson Monyela said.

The principle of protection of premises and diplomatic and consular personnel, he recalled, constitutes a basic principle of international law, necessary for the orderly development of relations between states.

Therefore, Monyela said, an attack of this nature should be of concern to the entire international community.

Moreover, the spokesman continued, the attack was a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, which must be respected and upheld.

In a statement to this effect, the Ministry maintains that South Africa calls on the United Nations, including the Security Council, to hold accountable those who should abide by the principles consecrated in the UN Charter.

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