S. African leader warns against pursuit of regime change doctrine

South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday warned against the interference by outside parties in some countries and the pursuit of the regime change doctrine.

This practice has perpetuated a cycle of conflict and instability in many parts of North Africa and the Middle East, Zuma said at a press briefing in Pretoria after meeting with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

"The preference for military action instead of political solutions becomes a breeding ground for violent extremism and terrorism," Zuma noted.

The United Nations must be at the centre of collective global action against terrorism, working with regional organisations, he added.

Zuma said the horrific attacks in Paris and also Turkey, Lebanon and the ongoing terror attacks in parts of Nigeria and sporadic attacks in Kenya remind the world that the scourge of terrorism requires urgent attention, with an emphasis on dealing with the root causes.

The international community must also redouble its efforts particularly in the quest for genuine peace in the Middle East, said Zuma.

It will be difficult to find lasting peace without resolving longstanding issues in the Middle East such as the Palestinian question, he said.

"We also wish to reiterate as well that terror attacks should not be used to label refugees as terrorists as that would have negative consequences.

It is a difficult situation but solutions can and must be found," Zuma said.

He also reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to stronger relations with the EU.

The Netherlands will next year be President of the EU.

The South Africa-EU meeting will be held next year. Endit