OIC Parliamentarians Support Syria Against Terrorism , for Political Solution to Crisis

TEHRAN, (ST)_ -President Hassan Rouhani of Iran said that terrorism and extremism endanger all Islamic countries without exception to prevent their unity and economic progress and distort their religious and cultural identity.

The Iranian President comments were made at the opening of the 9th meeting of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) with the participation of Syria’s parliamentary delegation headed by its Speaker Mohammad Jihad al-Lahham.

 President Rouhani stressed that the Zionist entity is the prime beneficiary of the spread of terrorism, with Muslims shedding each other’s blood, noting that there is no way to find a solution to the problems of the Muslims and their occupied territories but through achieving pan-Muslim unity.

Rouhani underscored that Iran ‘s top priorities are defending the Palestinian and all oppressed Muslims, liberating Jerusalem and developing relations with all Islamic countries.

In turn, Speaker of the Iranian Shura Council Ali Larijani stressed that terrorism devastated peoples in Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq more than any other place, noting ” a tendency to achieve the Zionists’ aspirations in the Islamic world through utilizing the takfiri ideology.”

For his part, Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri said that terrorism affecting the region is mainly sponsored by international sides and Israel, stressing the need to prevent using Islam as a cover for terrorism.

He called for making the Middle East, an area free of nuclear weapons and terrorism, emphasizing that negotiations are the best way to resolve political issues, citing the example of the Iranian nuclear issue which paved the way towards resolving the crisis in Syria via the Geneva 2 conference.

For his part, President of the Algerian People’s National Assembly Mohamed aLarabi Ould Khelifa reiterated his country support for an inter-Syrian dialogue, calling for helping the Syrians to restore security to their country.

He stressed Algeria’s adherence to non-interference in countries’ internal affairs and respect for their sovereignty, calling for combating terrorism, extremism, and attempts to distort Islam.

President of the International Parliamentary Union Abdulwahed al-Radhi stressed that the crisis in Syria should be resolved politically through dialogue among the Syrians.

 Sudan Parliament Speaker Fateh Ezzedin Mansour called for bridging differences among OIC member states and supporting the Palestinian people.

For his part, Speaker of the Palestinian National Council Salim Al-Za’noon affirmed commitment to resistance and elimination of the Israeli occupation, criticizing the lack of action by Islamic and Arab countries in t protecting Jerusalem, while speaker of the Kuwaiti National Assembly Marzouq al-Ghanim voiced support for a peaceful political solution for the crisis in Syria via inter-Syrian dialogue. He stressed the need that all world countries should join the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including Israel.

Delegations representing 47 countries are participating in the two-day conference, while 22 international organizations are taking part as observers.

 T. Fateh