OIC chief echoes backing to Palestine statehood

JEDDAH, Feb 3 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Youssef Al-Othaimeen Monday restated his support to a Palestinian statehood based on the 1967 border with its capital in East Jerusalem.
Addressing a meeting of the OIC's executive committee at the level of foreign ministers held in the Saudi city of Jeddah, Al-Othaimeen underlined that it is essential to commit to solutions centered on relevant international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
"The OIC backs any international effort to resolve the Palestinian cause, leading to comprehensive peace that ensures the just and legal rights of the Palestinian people," he added.
The OIC reaffirmed that the largest Muslim bloc gives top priority to the Palestinian cause.
Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan called on all OIC member states to throw much weight behind the Palestinian people, emphasizing that Palestine would unquestionably remain the central case of all Muslim nations.
"The OIC member states are now more required than ever to show solidarity with the Palestinian people," he said during the meeting held to consider the recently announced US Middle East peace plan.
He called on them to defend the just Palestinian cause and protect the Al-Aqsa Mosque at this critical and sensitive time.
Also addressing the gathering, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al-Maliki lashed out at the US peace plan as merely a "deal between the US and Israeli administrations".
He underscored that the plan could not be deemed a peace move since Palestine is not part of it.
Requested by the Palestinian leadership, the meeting of the Islamic bloc came just a couple of days after the Arab League voiced emphatic opposition to the so-called "deal of the century".
US President Donald Trump had unveiled a new Middle East peace plan, saying "it's been a long and very arduous process to arrive at this moment." "My vision presents a win-win situation for both sides," Trump said, adding that "this plan will double Palestinian territory and set the capital of the Palestinian state in eastern Jerusalem where the United States will happily open an embassy." "Under this vision, Jerusalem will remain Israel's undivided, very important, undivided capital," he added. (end) nsa.mt