Iran Calls for More OIC Support for PalestiniansIranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi Hereon Monday called on the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to make more efforts to help the Palestinians.Given the current sensitive situation, Iran deems it necessary for the OIC to support the Palestinians, Asefi was quoted by the Islamic Republic News Agency as saying. He said the recent developments in the Middle East, especially the failure of the U.S.-mediated Camp David talks, has made the situation sensitive, which has intensified the "hopes and fears." Islamic states should strengthen their solidarity and unity with regard to the Palestinian issue, he added. Iran, currently holding the presidency of the 55-member OIC, has recently launched an initiative to mobilize Islamic support for Palestine. President Khatami has sent Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Mohammad Sadr as his envoy to deliver his messages to the leaders of Jordan, Tunisia, Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia on the Palestinian issue. Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi earlier also made telephone contacts with a number of Islamic foreign ministers on the Middle East issue. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat last Thursday paid a short visit to Iran, and Iran pledged to do its best to help solve the Middle East problem. Iran does not recognize Israel and has bitterly opposed to any peace talks with the Jewish state. Iran insists that Jerusalem belongs to the Palestinians and the whole Islamic world, and the only solution to the Middle East issue is Israel's unconditional withdrawal from Arab lands and the return of Palestinian refugees to their homelands. |
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