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CAPE TOWN, March 11 (Reuters) - South Africa criticisedRoyal Dutch Shell's local unit on Tuesday for notrefuelling a jet carrying the visiting speaker of Iran'sparliament, saying the action was an "embarrassment" to thegovernment.
Ali Larijani met with South African President Jacob Zuma andSouth Africa's parliamentary speaker during an official visit tothe country from March 4 to 7.
But Larijani was forced to cancel the next leg of a plannedAfrican tour because of a 24-hour delay when his plane was notrefuelled at Cape Town International Airport.
The South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA),which groups suppliers such as Shell, said this was because of"company-specific global policies" its members follow in dealingwith Iran, which has had international sanctions imposed on itover its nuclear programme.
"In accordance with these company restrictions, the relevantSAPIA members were not able to sell fuel or provide refuellingservices to Dr Larijani's aircraft prior to its departure fromCape Town on 7 March 2014," SAPIA said in a statement.
Iran agreed under an interim deal with world powers inNovember to curb sensitive nuclear activities in return forlimited sanctions relief.
The South African government said it did not think sanctionsapplied in this situation.
"The department regretted the embarrassment that had beencaused to the government of South Africa and to its guest by aunilateral decision by Shell SA not to refuel Dr Larijani'saircraft," the foreign affairs department said in a statement.
"The decision, ostensibly due to unilateral sanctions thathad been imposed against Iran, was not based on fact. Despiteassurances provided to the company by the department and by theAmbassador of the European Union to South Africa, Shell refusedall requests to refuel the aircraft," it said.
South Africa called on Shell to act in a manner appropriate"to its contractual role" as a service provider appointed by anagency of government to provide fuel to aircraft at nationalairports.
Shell SA did not respond directly to requests for comment,but referred queries to SAPIA.
