Likud MKs, S. African leaders join to end Middle East conflict

PRETORIA - Likud party officials and members of the South African government pledged Wednesday to continue talks on ending Middle East violence as they wrapped up a two-day meeting.

South Africa hopes its experience negotiating a peaceful end to close to half a century of white-minority rule can help Israel resolve its conflict with the Palestinians.

"Both delegations committed to the need for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and recognized that peace in the Middle East will contribute to global peace and stability," the South African Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Both parties have agreed to continue these discussions as would be mutually convenient in future."

Although a number of Israeli and Palestinian officials have in recent years sought Pretoria's guidance on conflict resolution and transformation, it is the first time that a delegation from the Likud is in the country.

Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry Michael Ratzon led the delegation, also attendiung were the chair of the constitutional committee Michael Eitan, Likud director-general Arik Barami, and its campaign manager Eitan Sulami.

President Thabo Mbeki led the South African delegation, which included current and former Cabinet members who participated in the negotiations that ended apartheid in 1994. However, he left after the first few hours to attend an African Union summit in Burkina Faso.

Pretoria said it aimed to offer insight into the process that culminated in South Africa's transformation to a peaceful democracy.

	South African President Thabo Mbeki (R) meets with Michael Ratzon (L), Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade in Pretoria Tuesday. (AP)