He had brushed off criticism that he failed to show compassion by not visiting areas affected by violent attacks against foreigners around the country, the national broadcaster reported.
Mbeki said the government had acted swiftly in deploying police and sending Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka to some of the troubled spots.
"There is a government of the Republic of South Africa and we discussed all these things, all elements of this problem, indeed, have taken various decisions at different points about people visiting the areas.
"But there is a whole range of other decisions also that have to do first of all with the deployment of police, later, use of the national defence force.
"The government of South Africa will respond to these matters using all of the people and resources at its command," said Mbeki.
The SABC reported Cabinet as saying that the inter-ministerial task team would meet later on Thursday and release the latest figures on the number of foreigners displaced in the attacks,
While in Japan, Mbeki met with the International Organisation for Migration to discuss the situation, it added.
They had agreed to allow the organisation to assist the South African government in helping people displaced by the violence.
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