Ihsanoglu stresses on a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria through cessation of bloodshed and attainment of the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people

The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu commended the Government of Turkey for hosting the second meeting of the “Group of Friends of the Syrian People” in Istanbul on 01 April 2012 and expressed OIC's readiness to contribute to all efforts and initiatives approved by the Group at the meeting. He underlined that there is a need to work out a peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria through cessation of bloodshed of innocent people and attainment of the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people for democracy, good governance and respect for human rights. Ihsanoglu reiterated the support of the OIC for a political solution that would adequately respond to the demands of the Syrian people and ensure that peace and security in the region are sustained. The Secretary General noted that the OIC has consistently expressed deep concern at the deteriorating situation and urged the Syrian authorities to not to resort to the excessive use of force against civilians, and to comply with the obligations laid down in the OIC Charter in order to avert the risk of foreign intervention. While emphasizing Syria’s security and territorial integrity, Ihsanoglu stressed on the need for Syria to engage in a positive dialogue that should involve the various Syrian stakeholders. He also reiterated his support for the mission of Mr. Kofi Annan, the UN-Arab League envoy and expressed hope for the acceptance of the Syrian authorities of the Six Points proposed by him. Ihsanoglu announced that the OIC has succesfully dispatched, jointly with the United Nations, a humanitarian mission which has just ended its assessment of humanitarian needs in different Syrian provinces, and sent a convoy of nine trucks carrying relief products to the people in these regions. In this context, he called upon the international community to act promptly and resolutely by scaling up collective humanitarian efforts, including provision of material and medical support for the refugees and displaced people, both in Syria and in the neighboring countries. İstanbul, 01 April 2012