Islamic nations call for end to Iraq occupation

By: Abdullah

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia: The world's Islamic nations on Saturday have called for the eviction of American forces from the holy land of Iraq and the rapid restoration of its sovereignty.

Talking to senior officials preparing for a summit of the 57-member organization of the Islamic Conference in Malaysia next week, the OIC secretary general Abdelouahed Belkeziz said: “The United Nations should take over the administration of Iraqi affairs in accordance with a clear and short timetable.”

The gathering of the 57 countries of the OIC, the world's biggest Muslim political grouping, is its first regular summit since the September 11, 2001, attacks on Washington and New York. The meeting will be opened on October 16.

Belkeziz said that the global fallout from the Sept 11, 2001 attacks had seen Afghanistan invaded, Iraq occupied and the campaign against Islam, the Islamic culture and its adherents gain momentum.

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