The world's largest Muslim organization is urging the international community to take "necessary action" to end the bloodshed in Syria. The upheaval in the Arab country occurred as a result of people's demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad which was responded with violence by the military.
"I renew my call to the international community, in particular the UN Security Council, to carry out its responsibility in protecting civilians and to take steps to end the bloodshed in Syria," said the Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
The OIC condemns the "daily killing of innocent civilians". Ihsanoglu called it "something that cannot be accepted and it is impossible to keep quiet about it".
Ihsanoglu urged countries of the world to "find solutions that will ensure security and stability and prevent foreign intervention" in Syria. The Syrian regime itself has been supported by Russia and Iran.
Syrian demonstrations that began last March have killed more than 6.000 people, according to figures released by the United Nations earlier this month. The Syrians blame "foreign-backed armed forces" for killing 2.000 soldiers and police.
The OIC - of 57 Muslim countries - supports an Arab proposal for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to hand over power to his deputy, an initiative that Damascus and its ally Russia reject. "All violence must be stopped," said Ihsanoglu. (Mel / Onislam.net / ddhongkong.org). *
