OIC SEC-GEN CALLS FOR IRAQI UNITY

DUBAI, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Following a series of lethal bombings in Iraq,
the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) secretary-general Professor
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has underscored the need for the Iraqi people to stick to
the unity of their country.

In condemning the recent attacks in Mosul and Baghdad which killed and
wounded at least 200 people, he said they should avoid getting lured by such
attempts which used the blood of innocent people to serve criminal objectives.

Iraqis should resist attempts to pull Iraq back into the gloomy days of
sedition and strife, he said in a statement issued by the Jeddah-based OIC.

Ihsanoglu expressed his shock and dismay over the targeting of people in
public places, dubbing the bombings as criminal acts.

He conveyed his condolences to the Iraqi leadership and people, especially
the families of the victims.
-- BERNAMA