South African FM urges calm over land reform

JOHANNESBURG, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The South African foreign minister on Sunday appealed to the international community not to panic over proposed changes to the country's land reform policy.

"There is no need to panic or be alarmist," International Relations Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said, responding to comments on parliamentary processes in relation to land distribution.

All stakeholders must respect parliamentary processes, Sisulu said in a statement.

"The international community played an important role in the fight against apartheid and all its repressive and discriminatory policies," Sisulu said. "We invite members of the international community to continue supporting our efforts to reverse the legacy of apartheid."

The South African national assembly recently passed a motion to review a section of the constitution to allow for land expropriation without compensation.

"All stakeholders, domestic and international, must respect the process and also take advantage of that process to make input," Sisulu said. Enditem