OIC: Developments in Syria are a cause for deep concern

"The developments in Syria are a cause for deep concern due to the continued deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation there and the growing violence in which thousands of innocent Syrian civilians have been killed and tens of thousands injured and displaced," said Secretary General of The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu at the Senior Officials Preparatory Meeting for the Thirty- Ninth Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in Jeddah. Ihsanoglu said: "I made several contacts with the Syrian leaders since the crisis began. I sent a special envoy to Damascus with a message for President Assad. On several other occasions, we called on the Syrian government to stop the use of excessive force against Syrian civilians immediately and to respond to their legitimate aspirations and demand for political participation and good governance. Following that, we supported the Arab initiative aimed at stopping violence in Syria and finding a peaceful solution to the crisis there. At the same time we emphasized the need to preserve Syria's unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity in order the save the country from the dangers of all-out civil war with its disastrous consequences on the Syrian people, the region and international peace and security." The OIC, he said, welcomed the United Nations General Assembly resolution on the situation in Syria adopted on 3 August 2012, which condemned continued widespread and systematic violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities, the use of excessive force against civilians, random assassinations, killing and oppression. The situation in Mali and the Sahel region is a major source of concern to the OIC due to its impacts on the peace and stability of the region, Ihsanoglu said. "The crisis in Mali and the Sahel was at the top of the agenda of the Fourth Extraordinary Islamic Summit Conference held in Makkah Al-Mukarramah a few weeks ago. While reaffirming its full solidarity with the new national transitional government in the Republic of Mali in addressing the serious challenges facing its unity and sovereignty, the OIC endorsed ECOWAS' peace mediation efforts led by the Republic of Burkina Faso. Following the mandate of the Fourth Extraordinary Summit, I will in the coming days appoint a special envoy to the region to help evolve a peaceful solution to the conflict. I therefore urge all Member States to provide every assistance possible to ease the humanitarian crisis in Mali and the Sahel." Concerning Somalia, "I would like to voice my satisfaction with the important achievements of the signatories to the roadmap and the parties concerned with the completion of the political transition process in the country. I commend the dedicated efforts exerted by the Somali parties, which resulted in the adoption of a provisional constitution for Somalia and the selection and investiture of the members of the new Federal Parliament through broad, popular consultations and the election of a new president. On this occasion, I urge the protagonists in Somalia to work sincerely to finalize the transitional period with the election of the new President of the country on 10 September 2012 through a credible and transparent process, with a view to reinforcing lasting peace and stability and serving the interests of the Somali people who have endured a long-lasting and terrible crisis."