SAUDI ARABIA: Islamic group to probe violence in Syria

Record ID: 189010

  • Title: SAUDI ARABIA: Islamic group to probe violence in Syria
  • Date: 13th August 2012
  • Summary: RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA (AUGUST 13, 2012) (REUTERS) MEETING HALL BAHRAIN FOREIGN MINISTER SHEIKH KHALID BIN AHMED AL-KHALIFA SPEAKING TO UGANDA FOREIGN MINISTER JAMES MUGUME IRAN'S REPRESENTATIVE SEATED VARIOUS REPRESENTATIVES SITTING EMPTY SEAT FOR SYRIAN REPRESENTATIVE IRAQI AMBASSADOR TO SAUDI ARABIA REPRESENTATIVE OF QATAR FOREIGN MINSTER OF KUWAIT SHEIKH SABAH KHALED AL-SABAH FOREIGN MINSTER OF YEMEN ABUBAKR AL-QIRBI REPRESENTATIVE OF NIGERIA PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY'S FOREIGN MINISTER RIYAD AL-MALIKI CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALI AKBAR SALEHI, SAYING: "The Syrian crisis is a fact. There is a crisis there. Every country, specifically Muslim countries who are members of the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation] should join hands to resolve this issue in such a way that will help towards the peace and security and stability of the region and that will stop the violence, will stop the destruction which we are witnessing now in Syria unfortunately." SECURITY GUARDS CLOSING DOOR (SOUNDBITE) (English) IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ALI AKBAR SALEHI, SAYING: "I have been in contact with our Qatari colleagues, Turkish colleagues... QUESTION FROM OFF: ARE QATARIS INVOLVED IN THIS? "No, not because of the involvement, we are asking countries that may be able to assist us in the release of these hostages, the abducted Iranians, to do so." SALIHI WALKING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 28th August 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Saudi Arabia
  • Country: Saudi Arabia
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8GT29YOBSAZJATUK58F4C20D6
  • Story Text: Foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered on Monday (August 13) in Riyadh for an emergency meeting on Syria.
    They were expected to announce the suspension of Syria's membership as recommended by member states, according to the Secretary General of the OIC, Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
    The meeting has been called by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah who is pushing to mobilise support for rebels battling the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
    Syria was present at the meeting in which Iran strongly opposed the suspension of Syria's membership.
    "The Syrian crisis is a fact. There is a crisis there. Every country, specifically Muslim countries who are members of the OIC [Organization of Islamic Cooperation] should join hands to resolve this issue in such a way that will help towards the peace and security," said Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi on the sidelines of the meeting.
    Iran is Assad's key supporter and has repeatedly warned against intervention in the 17-month conflict that has killed more than 21,000 people, according to monitoring groups.
    On the question of the kidnapped Iranians in Syria, Salehi appealed for help.
    "I have been in contact with our Qatari colleagues, Turkish colleagues.. Not because of the involvement, we are asking countries that may be able to assist us in the release of these hostages, the abducted Iranians, to do so."
    Syrian rebels said they kidnapped a busload of 48 Iranians on suspicion of being military personnel.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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