OIC calls for stepping up efforts in Mideast peace process

According to Interfax, a declaration the OIC issued following its 33rd ministerial session in Baku on Wednesday also calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state, the liberation of all Arab territories in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, and the return of all Palestinian refugees and displaced persons to their historic land.

The participants in the ministerial meeting also declared their support for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on the OIC secretary general to explore practical ways to increase the organization's role in achieving peace and stability in that country.

The declaration also calls for better consolidation of Muslim countries' efforts in resolving common problems and protecting Islamic values from unfounded criticism.

The document denounces terrorism in any form and supports international cooperation in fighting it.

The participants also insisted that the OIC be appropriately represented at the UN Security Council.

They also denounced Islamophobia and welcomed the idea to set up a monitoring center to record these negative trends.