OIC welcomes formation of Islamic force to fight suicide

Ambassador Abdallah Alem, the Assistant Secretary General for political affairs at the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), expressed the organization's support for the Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism, which was announced by Saudi deputy Crown Prince Mohamed ben Salman.

Ben Salman on Tuesday announced the formation of a 34-state Islamic military coalition to combat terrorism, according to a joint statement published on state news agency SPA.

"The OIC countries decided on the formation of a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia to fight terrorism, with a joint operations center based in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations," the statement said.

A long list of Arab countries such as Egypt, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, together with Islamic countries Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan and Gulf Arab and African states were mentioned.

In press statements at the conclusion of meetings of the fifth session of the high-level joint committee concerned with the implementation of a cooperation agreement between the OIC and AL, Alem said the coalition was welcomed by Arab and Islamic countries.

He said the participants saw to eye on many issues such the Syrian and Palestinian crises, pointing out that an OIC office will be opened in the Palestinian city of Ramallah shortly.

He expressed hope that the Al Quds committee under Morocco will meet soon to discuss conditions in Al Quds especially in Al Aqsa mosque, pointing out that the OIC states condemn Israeli violations including the the extrajudicial killing of Palestinians at the hands of the Israelis.

He also expressed hope for reaching a political solution to the Libyan crisis.

Sources: MENA