Iran's FM: Syria's Suspension From OIC, Unjust

Mecca, Aug 16, IRNA - Foreign Minister of Iran Ali-Akbar Salehi said Thursday morning that suspending Syria's membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is an unjust move. Salehi made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the Mecca Airport before leaving Saudi Arabia for Iran. Commenting on the decision made at the latest summit of the OIC which ended Wednesday night in this holy city, the Iranian minister said, "Iran opposed suspending Syria's membership as it was against the Charter of the OIC." Before making any decisions, Syria should have been invited to the summit to discuss and defend its position," Salehi said. The final statement of the summit, which was published Thursday morning, has announced: "The conference decides to suspend the Syrian Arab Republic's membership in the OIC and all its subsidiary organs, specialized and affiliated institutions." The statement also referred to the issue of Palestine as well as the cases of breaking international and humanitarian laws by the Zionist regime. The participants also voiced their support for Muslims of Myanmar who were the target of violent measures of non-Muslims in that country. Referring to the massacre of Muslims in Myanmar as "crimes against humanity," the OIC members called for an immediate halt of the violence against Muslims./end