LOC22:18
19:18 GMT
DAMASCUS, May 23 (KUNA) -- Foreign Ministers of Islamic countries, meeting
in Damascus Saturday, called for activating role of the Organization of
Islamic Conference (OIC) in the international political scene.
The top diplomats urged OIC member states to back the pan-Islamic
organization's endeavors to facing international challenges.
They underscored importance of activating dialogue between cultures and
civilizations, as well as spreading true meanings of Islam.
They reiterated support for the Palestinian people in their resistance
against the Israeli occupation, calling for the immediate lift of the Israeli
siege off Gaza Strip.
They called for prosecuting the Israeli war criminals before international
courts for violating international law, judaizing occupied Jerusalem and
tarnishing the holy city's historic sites.
The foreign ministers, in their speeches, urged backing to governments of
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Sudan in their quest to restore peace
and security in their countries.
They voiced satisfaction for the establishment of the Islamic Solidarity
Fund which would be active in fighting poverty, boosting education, health and
social care.
Cuba, in its capacity as rotating president of the Non-Aligned Movement
(NAM), voiced solidarity with the Palestinian people.
NAM renewed condemnation of the Israeli aggression against the occupied
Palestinian territories, saying that the Palestinian people have full rights
to establish their independent state within the 1967 borders with Jerusalem as
its capital. (pickup previous)
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