OIC SEC-GEN CALLS FOR CALM IN NIGERIA

DUBAI, July 29 (Bernama) -- Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has called for calm and restraint, in the wake of violence in several states in northern Nigeria.

He condemned the torching of a police headquarters, places of worship
and other government buildings during the incidents.

Members of an Islamist sect were said to be behind the attacks in which 140
people were reportedly killed in several days of violence.

In a statement, Ihsanoglu expressed confidence that the Nigerian Government
would take all necessary measures to bring the violence to an end, investigate
the immediate and remote causes of the incidents, and bring the perpetrators to
justice.

He voiced total rejection of violence in the name of any religion, including
Islam, which preaches peaceful co-existence, compassion and tolerance.

The secretary-general further called on the traditional rulers and community
leaders in Nigeria to join hands to encourage dialogue, tolerance, peaceful
co-existence and rule of law as means of resolving disputes.
-- BERNAMA