Tag: ambassador

Five Latin American countries recall ambassadors form Israel

El Salvador has joined four Latin American countries in recalling its Israel ambassador from Tel Aviv in protest at the military’s ground and air offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Brazil, Chile, Ecuador and Peru have all recalled their diplomatic representatives to Israel.

The Chilean foreign ministry in Santiago said its ambassador was being brought back to the country because of “the escalation of Israeli military operations in Gaza”.

“Chile notes with great concern and dismay that such military operations, which at this stage of development are subject to a collective punishment against the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza, do not respect fundamental rules of international humanitarian law.”

Brazil had earlier denounced the “disproportionate use of force by Israel” before recalling the Ambassador of Brazil in Tel Aviv to Brasilia.

The United Nations Human Rights Council, consisting of 46 members, also voted unanimously to investigate potential Israeli ‘war crimes’ in the territory. The only member to vote against the resolution was the United States while many European Union nations abstained.

Zenani Mandela’s black Merc arrives at hospital

Zenani Mandela-Dlamini

Former president Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini arrived at the Pretoria hospital on Wednesday where the elderly statesman is believed to be receiving treatment.

Her black Mercedes-Benz entered the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital before 11am. She stopped briefly and talked to police officers at the entrance on Park Street in Arcadia.

Mandela-Dlamini, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, arrived home this week following her father’s admission. The ailing icon was spending his fifth day in hospital.

On Saturday, the presidency announced that Mandela had been admitted to hospital in the early hours of the morning and was in a “serious but stable” condition. His condition has remained unchanged since then.

The presidency said on Tuesday that the doctors treating Mandela gave President Jacob Zuma a thorough briefing on Monday night.

“President Zuma has full confidence in the medical team, and is satisfied that they are doing their best to make Madiba better,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

Mandela was still in a “serious but stable” condition. Police had taken over security at the hospital. Seven officers were guarding the facility’s entrance. Pedestrians’ bags and vehicles entering the premises were searched.

Local and international media continued to hold vigil outside the hospital and Mandela’s Houghton, Johannesburg, home.

This is the third time this year the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been hospitalised.

At the end of March and in April he spent nine days in hospital receiving treatment for recurring lung problems. Earlier in March, he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up and was discharged the following day. – Sapa