JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Amidst delicate circumstances faced by the Arab and Islamic world, there is a need for strengthening cooperation and solidarity and intensifying efforts and coordination, said Hussein Ibrahim Taha, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Speaking at the 32nd session of the Council of the League of Arab States (LAS), Taha also emphasized the importance of the Palestinian issue, noting the continued obstruction of a political solution and escalating Israeli attacks on Palestinian territories, including significant religious sites such as the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
He warned of grave consequences that could worsen the situation, urging a collective international response to establish an independent Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in line with international resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.
The OIC Secretary General praised the joint Saudi-American initiative to initiate preliminary talks in Jeddah between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces amid the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
In response to the signing of the Jeddah Declaration, which underlines a commitment to protect civilians in Sudan, Taha encouraged a prioritization of Sudan’s national interest to safeguard its unity, institutions, and the aspirations of its people for stability and economic development.
Expressing the OIC’s commitment to peace and stability in Yemen, Libya, and Syria, Taha also stressed on increased solidarity with Somalia to help the nation overcome existing challenges. He advocated for strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and cooperation among all Arab countries.
Taha emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration between the OIC and LAS, particularly in the economic, scientific, cultural, and humanitarian fields. He highlighted the importance of empowering women and youth, combating terrorism and extremism, countering hate speech and Islamophobia, and upholding values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
He also sought increased support for countries in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad basin to help them navigate security and development challenges.
As Saudi Arabia currently presides over both the LAS and the 14th Islamic Summit, Taha is optimistic that this will invigorate cooperation between the two groups, enabling a coordinated approach to tackle shared issues and seek effective solutions to international challenges within a multilateral framework.
