Hon Speaker and hon members, as the South African government we deeply deplore the killing of civilians under any circumstances, and we have repeatedly spoken out against the violence that has claimed the lives of innocent people in Libya.
As you may be aware, the President responded to a similar question in this House last week. As government, we have certainly not been silent on the matter of Libya, and commenced our engagement with other heads of state and governments when events started unfolding. Furthermore, as government, we have called on all parties involved to exercise restraint in order to prevent further loss of life.
The South African government has also expressed its views directly to the Libyan leader, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, regarding the violence and loss of civilian life. We concomitantly called on the government and people of Libya to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current conflict.
The President further articulated that South Africa does not operate in a vacuum on international matters, since we operate within the ambit of the African Union, as well as the United Nations.
Pursuant to government's ongoing engagements on this matter, in his Human Rights Day address two days ago, the President called for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and an end to attacks on civilians. He asserted that the UN Security Council resolution should be implemented in letter and spirit by all members of the United Nations Security Council.
Furthermore, he called for operations aimed at enforcing the no-fly zone and the protection of civilians to be limited to just that: that they should not harm or endanger the lives of civilians. Thus, our commitment as government to human rights and the protection of human life remains steadfast, and we will continue to express ourselves vociferously about the unacceptability of the loss of civilian life whenever this occurs. I thank you.