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BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two were martyred in an initial toll of the Israeli drone strike that targeted the al-Asira neighborhood in the city of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli drone strike targeted the al-Asira neighborhood east of Baalbek, eastern Lebanon
Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are the greatest resistance. Know that 'Israel' will fall because it embodies aggression, crime, and occupation; victory is truly yours
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: The value of what you are doing despite your wounds is immense, and here you are, treading the path of the Master of Nation's Martyrs and the leaders
Sheikh Qassem to the pager attack survivors: You are moving forward with insight deeper than sight itself. The enemy sought to eliminate your role in the battle, yet you remain steadfast and continue the fight
Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem to the pager attack survivors one year later: You are healing from your wounds and rising above them. You have successfully passed the test
Palestinian media: Reports of stabbing operation in occupied al-Quds.
Israeli media: Sirens blare in Arava in South, near Ramon Airport.
Egyptian PM Mostafa Madbouli: Egypt is targeted in plans to redraw regional map
AEOI Chief Mohammad Eslami: Our presence in IAEA General Council and fact-checking helped in preventing unilateral rhetoric that aims to portray Iran as an unregulated country

Ramaphosa, Biden talk after S. Africa abstained from UN Russia vote

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 9 Apr 2022 07:55
2 Min Read

The US President and his South African counterpart have held a phone call after the latter described the UN Security Council as "outdated" and in dire need of an overhaul.

  • x
  • South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
    South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held Friday telephone talks with US President Joe Biden, a day after the African country abstained from voting on a resolution suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over the war in Ukraine.

Ramaphosa, whose government has been criticized for refusing to condemn Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, had a day earlier described the UN Security Council as "outdated" and in dire need of an overhaul.

Hours later, South Africa was among the 58 countries that abstained from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council.

It was the third time South Africa abstained from voting on resolutions adopted over the war in Ukraine.

On Twitter, Ramaphosa said he had "a productive" telephone call with Biden. 

"We shared views on the conflict in Ukraine and agreed on the need for a ceasefire and dialogue between Ukraine and Russia," the South African President wrote.

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I had a productive call with US President @JoeBiden earlier this evening. As part of deepening relations, we agreed to set up a team to strengthen trade, increase investment in infrastructure and work to tackle climate change. pic.twitter.com/NTris3xHfr

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) April 8, 2022

Local media suggest Biden initiated the call

The White House pointed out in a readout of the call that Biden "emphasized the strength of the bilateral partnership, as well as global challenges brought on by Russia's further invasion of Ukraine."

The US President stressed "the need for a clear, unified international response" to Russian aggression in Ukraine," the statement said.

Local media suggested it was Biden who initiated the call to Ramaphosa.

Second ever suspension from UNHRC

Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council marked only the second ever suspension of a country from the human rights body, as Libya's suspension was the first in 2011.

On Thursday, Ramaphosa sharply criticized the UN Security Council for enabling powerful nations to use their influence to make decisions that were at times catastrophic.

"The current formation of the UN Security Council is outdated and unrepresentative," he considered, adding that "it disadvantages countries with developing economies."

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As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

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