OIC LAUDS UN PROBE ON ATTACK ON GAZA AID FLOTILLA

BY ABDUL MUIN MAJID

DUBAI, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu is hopeful that the outcome of a United
Nations (UN) probe into the Israeli attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla will
contribute to compelling Israel to respect the rules of international and
humanitarian law.

He also underlined the importance of, and the need for, the investigation to be
carried out objectively and with transparency and impartiality in accordance
with international standards.

UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Monday announced the formation of a panel to
investigate the May 31 Israeli raid on the humanitarian aid flotilla, which left
nine people dead.

"The OIC secretary-general considers that the formation of this
international committee constitutes a step in the right direction towards
sustainability of the international community of its responsibilities in the
implementation and protection of international law," according to a statement from
the Jeddah-based OIC.

The attempt to break the sea blockade of Gaza, a coastal enclave of some 1.5
million Palestinians, ended in bloodshed when Israeli troops stormed the lead
ship Mavi Marmara in international waters.

Twelve Malaysian volunteers along with hundreds of other multinational peace
activists who joined the convoy of ships bringing humanitarian aid dubbed the
"Freedom Flotilla", were captured and subsequently released by Israel.
-- BERNAMA



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