NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO: 1749 (NW1975E)
PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 19-2011 OF 1 JULY 2011
QUOTE
Mr LS Ngonyama (COPE) to ask the Minister of International Relations and
Cooperation:
1. Whether South Africaâs vote in favour of a no-fly zone over Libya had
to be explained to its partners, Russia, India and China (BRICS); if
not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant
details?
REPLY:
1. As a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council,
South Africa engages on an on-going basis with all members of the
Council, including its BRICS partners, on the issues before it, in
support of the Councilâs mandate to maintain international peace and
security.
2. South Africaâs support of the Councilâs decision to impose a no-fly-
zone over Libya was informed by the call of the countries of the
region to strengthen the implementation of resolution 1970 (2011) in
the face of the continued violence against civilians carried out by
the Libyan authorities. South Africa was also clear that it would
continue to work through the Council, the African Union and other
multilateral and bilateral platforms for the resolution of the Libyan
crisis in a manner consistent with the aspirations of the people of
Libya. South Africaâs views were clearly articulated to all Council
members in the intense consultation process preceding the adoption of
resolution 1973 (2011), which imposed the no-fly-zone.
UNQUOTE