LOC15:02
12:02 GMT
PARIS, July 23 (KUNA) -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius is hosting
an Iftar reception Monday for ambassadors from the member countries of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) but has excluded Syria from the
invitation, official sources indicated.
"The Minister will receive at the Quai d'Orsay (Foreign Ministry) the 57
ambassadors of the OIC for Iftar, with the exception of Syria which is not
invited," a statement said.
Other notable Islamic leaders in France will also be present at the Iftar.
The reception is a sign of "consideration towards Islam, Muslims and the
OIC," the Foreign Ministry said.
During the reception, Fabius is also expected to designate a "special
envoy" to the OIC in the person of Louis Blin, who is currently the French
Consul in Jeddah, which is the headquarters of the OIC.
France said it noted the more active and dynamic role being played by the
OIC in helping resolve world crises and also in promoting dialogue between
cultures and addressing social and economic issues. (end)
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