S. Africa condemns acts of terror in Syria

The South African government on Wednesday joined the world community in condemning the recent acts of terror in Syria and called on all peace-loving mankind to do everything to defeat terrorism and extremism.

"We call on the parties negotiating in Geneva to throw their weight behind the peace process," said Clayson Monyela, spokesperson of the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.

"Syrians deserve a peaceful future and that future is being built in Geneva," he said in a statement.

A series of terrorist bombings rocked the coastal cities of Tartous and Jableh in Syria on Monday morning. By Tuesday morning the death toll stood at 78 and most of the victims were women and children.

"What is more horrifying is the incident in Jableh where, having killed scores at the main entrance of the bus station in Jableh city and near the city's electricity directorate, the terrorist group dispatched a suicide bomber to follow the injured into the emergency ward at Jableh National Hospital where he blew himself up killing some of those injured earlier, as well as hospital staff," Monyela said.

The attacks were believed to be caried out by the so-called Islamic State and Japhat Al Nusra Front.

"It's no wonder that terror groups like the so-called Islamic State and Japhat Al Nusra Front were isolated and excluded from the ceasefire and the current peace process," Monyela said. Endit