The OIC Regrets Delay in Syrian Negotiations

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation expressed its regret that the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, had to suspend the negotiations aimed at settling the Syrian crisis to 25 February 2016. The Secretary General, Iyad Ameen Madani, invited all Syrian parties to place the interests of the Syrian people above all other considerations, to reach an agreement that would stop the bloodshed, ensure the security and unity of Syria and save it from external intervention in line with Vienna agreements, Geneva declaration and Security Council Resolution No 2254.

The Secretary General indicated that the OIC looks forward to the adoption by participants in the Syria Support Group, who will meet in Munich on 11 February 2016, of practical proposals to push forward the negotiations process and to resolve the humanitarian issues as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Madani expressed concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Syria and the continued loss of life and property. He noted the high-level participation of donor countries, especially the OIC Member States, international institutions and bodies, civil society institutions and private companies, in the Donors Conference on Syria held on Thursday 4 February 2016 in the British capital, to consider means to provide funding for immediate needs and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the Syrian crisis.