The 30th Foreign Ministerial session of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) opened in Tehran, Iran on Wednesday with an inaugural speech given by President Mohammad Khatami.
Foreign ministers and representatives from 57 OIC member states as well as envoys from observing countries, Muslim minorities and societies, regional and international organizations and members of the OIC secretariats are attending the three-day meeting, according to the Islamic Republic news agency.
Recent regional and international developments, especially the current situation in Iraq, the Palestine issue, matters related to Jerusalem, the campaign against terrorism, the situation of Muslim minorities in non-member states and the issue of disarmament will be amongst the major issues to be discussed by the participants during the OIC foreign ministers meeting.
In his opening address, President Muhammad Khatami said Iran proposed to create a coalition for peace based on justice, instead of attempts to expand conflict throughout the world.
The Iranian leader said: "The policy of aggression inadvertantly leads to war," IRIB quoted him as saying. "Islam makes a public call for faith and security and avoids intimidation," Khatami said.
Touching on world's warm welcome to the idea of dialogue among civilization, Khatami called for strenuous efforts to materialize the idea in order to escape the existing terror ambience in the world.
In some other parts of his speech, the President slammed the Israeli massacre and ransacking in the occupied territories and urged the Muslim nations to push to restore the freedom and the right to determine fate to the supressed nation.
The president called for the participant to voice their support for the Palestinian resistance and consider it as a legitimate freedom-seeking movement against a state-sponsored organized terrorism launched by Israel.
Regarding the situation on Iraq, Khatami noted that the Iraqi people are in dire need of Muslims' help. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
