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"Kuwait Declaration" embodies OIC goals, aspirations - FM

First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during the conclusion of 42nd Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the OIC
First Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah during the conclusion of 42nd Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the OIC

KUWAIT, May 28 (KUNA) -- The final communique of the 42nd Meeting of Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC incorporates the goals and ambitions of the organization, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah has said.
The communique, aka "Kuwait Declaration," diagnoses the hazards and challenges facing the Muslim World, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled told a joint press conference with OIC Secretary General Dr. Iyad Madani on Thursday as meeting Kuwait hosted wrapped up two days of discussions.
The Declaration is expressive of the concerns toward "these conditions, and the necessity of handling them in a way conducive to security and stability we aspire for," he said.
The OIC 42nd ministerial meeting, held under the auspices of His Highness the Amir Sheikh S abah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, was entitled "Joint Vision to Strengthen Tolerance and Reject Terrorism." Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled referred to His Highness the Amir's speech to the meeting saying it addressed "issues that aim to consolidate the noble content and message of goodness of our true religion, Islam." The meeting agenda responded to the regional and international conditions, comprising major themes such as the aggravating challenges imposed by terrorism, he said. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled added that the Muslim World is suffering from "repugnant terrorism" putting on an "Islamic mask that distorted the true image of the religion, that actually calls for tolerance, moderation and openness." In addition the two-day event tackled multitude of vital political, security, economic, cultural and media issues of high concern to the Muslim states.
For his part, OIC Secretary General Dr. Iyad Madani told the press conference that His Highness the Amir's speech at the opening session offered a significant entry "that guided us all through the whole meeting." He added the gathering addressed several issues of political, economic, social and human dimensions, topped with Jerusalem.
It also included "a brainstorming", an open session, in which all participants offered their views on terrorism, and means of combating extremism and sectarian infighting, as well as Islamophopia.
The 42nd ministerial meeting discussed almost all issues relevant to the Muslim World, as one nation with one culture and civilization. He hoped the outcome of the two-day event will receive due media attention.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said there are positive signals that should be tapped regarding the OIC desire to raise anew the draft UNSC resolution calling for a timetable to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine.
"The drive against the Israeli occupation got momentum after the recent recognition of Palestine by some European parliaments and the French efforts aiming to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks," he said.
"The OIC and the Arab League are lobbying international support for turning these positive signals into practical action and establishing the independent state of Palestine," he pointed out.
Regarding item of the declaration calling for support to the Libyan people, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said: "We hope that UN Secretary-General's Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Bernardino Leon will be able to help the Libyan people form a national unity government and end current turmoil in the country." "The OIC member states fully support the UN efforts to bring the belligerent parties in Libya to the negotiating table and establish a transitional national unity government that could be able to rebuild the state institutions," he affirmed.
Asked about the recent statement of Yemeni Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin that his country wants Kuwait to mediate between Yemen and Iran, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said: "We attach great importance to the efforts meant to defuse the tensions in the region and stabilize Yemen based on the UNSC resolution 2216, the outcomes of the national dialogue, the GCC initiative for Yemen and the recent conference in Riyadh." "We spare no effort in bringing the viewpoints of the brothers in Yemen and Iran close to each other," he said noting that he has recently discussed with minister Yassin the commitment to the UNSC resolution and the mission of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
On the combat against terrorism, he said the OIC states are committed to the UNSC resolutions related to the combat against all forms of terrorism and slapping sanctions on terrorist groups under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
Regarding Iraq, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the OIC member states support the efforts of the government of Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi "who works amid highly-challenging conditions." He voiced hope that Al-Abadi will be able to stem the current wave of terrorism and realize the objectives of his national program of action.
On his part, OIC Secretary General Iyad Madani said the Organization was one of the earliest organizations that warned, and took steps, against the phenomenon of terrorism, citing the document of 1990 which defined the concept of terrorism.
He added that the OIC worked relentlessly to cement the national unity of Iraq, hosted Makkah I conference and is lobbying for the Makkah II conference which will be held soon. (end) hrz.amn.fsh.gb