Ebrahim Moosa – Cii News (30 August 2o12)

The South African government has been called on to invite new Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi to the country. Mursi who is currently attending the Non Aligned Movement Summit in Iran, has recently completed visits to China, Saudi Arabia and Eithopia and is also due to visit the United States.

Speaking at the Afro-Middle East Centre’s MENA Uprisings conference in Pretoria, President of the al-Sharq Forum, Wadah Khanfar said South African-Egyptian co-operation could reap great dividends for the African continent. “South Africa should be connected to Egypt. This new administration of Egypt – we can have great partnership between South Africa and Egypt, in sorting out the issues of Sudan, Somalia, Mali and many other things. This is very important, because I think the circle of visits that Mursi is doing cannot be completed until he comes to Johannesburg or Pretoria, or wherever you’d like to host him.”

Khanfar criticised the South African government for its approach towards the conflict in Syria and its reluctance toconfront the Syrian regime directly. “Frankly speaking, South African foreign policy on Syria is disappointing,” he said.

ebmoosa@ciibroadcasting.com