JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, March 19 (KUNA) -- The Executive Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) wrapped up an emergency ministerial meeting on the alarming developments in Libya at the OIC General Secretariat here on Saturday.
The final communique of the meeting welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 1973 that established a no-fly zone over Libya in order to help protect civilians, cease hostilities and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Libya and requested Member States to contribute to the implementation of this resolution.
In this regard, the OIC supports the provision in the UNSC resolution for no foreign occupation of Libya in any form, and calls for the adoption of a new resolution by the Security Council to annul the provisions of Resolution 1973 as soon as the grounds behind its adoption have disappeared, according to the communique.
The Ministerial Meeting extended condolences to the families of victims of peaceful demonstrations and sympathies to the wounded, and expressed regret over the heavy loss of life and the colossal damage to public and private property in the country.
It also expressed grave concern over the current situation in Libya, condemned the use of military aircraft, mortars and heavy weaponry against civilians, and called upon the Libyan authorities to immediately end the military operations targeting civilians.
It reaffirmed the strong commitment to respect sovereignty, territorial integrity of Libya and non-interference in its internal affairs as well as stressing the principled and firm position of the OIC against any form of military intervention in Libya.
It called upon OIC Member States to establish, as deemed appropriate by them, contacts with the Interim Transitional National Council of Libya, the statement went on to say.
Commending the OIC's political and humanitarian efforts vis-a-vis the critical situation in Libya, it lauded the sincere efforts made by the OIC Secretary General Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu towards the harmonization of the OIC's position and coordination with international and regional organizations, and requested him to continue his cherished endeavors to this end.
Meanwhile, Ihsanoglu said in press remarks after the meeting, that excessive use of force by the Libyan leader Col. Muammar Gaddafi's regime against their own people "cast doubts on their legitimacy." Concerning the upheavals in the Middle East countries, the OIC chief commended the reform initiatives adopted by Oman, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, deeming them "the ideal way for the development of the Muslim communities." Ihsanoglu highlighted the importance of the 10-year action plan, adopted by the OIC emergency summit in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, in 2005, notably the principles of respect for human, good-governance and broad-based political participation.
Participants in the ministerial meeting observed one-minute silence and read "Surat Al-Fateha' (the opening verses) of the Holy Quran as a tribute to the victims of the Libyan uprising. (end) yms.gb KUNA 192131 Mar 11NNNN