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OIC SecGen: killings in Libya cannot be justified
[Asharq al-Aswat] Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has said that the unrest taking place in some Arab states is due to their lack of policies to combat poverty, and the lack of social justice in these countries, which is something that King of the Arabians, Sheikh of the Burning Sands, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz called for at the Mecca Conference. Saudi monarch King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz had called for the creation of a fund to combat poverty at the Mecca Conference.Professor Ihsanoglu also spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat about the possibility of taking action in the states that are currently witnessing political unrest, particularly Libya. He said "what is currently taking place in Libya with regards to the killing of innocents through the use of excessive force cannot be justified, and we, in the region, are monitoring the Libyan position with great regret and sorrow. In such cases, where families are taking to the street to demand certain things from the government, this should be met with dialogue based upon considering these demands." OIC Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu made these statements yesterday against the backdrop of the OIC signing a memorandum of understanding with British Mohammedan NGO Mohammedan Aid at OIC headquarters in Jeddah. Dr. Ihsanoglu criticized Libyan leader  Colonel Muammar Qadaffy... dictator of Libya since 1969. From 1972, when he relinquished the title of prime minister, he has been accorded the honorifics Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriyaor Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution. With the death of Omar Bongo of Gabon on 8 June 2009, he became the longest serving of all current non-royal national leaders. He is also the longest-serving ruler of Libya since Tripoli became an Ottoman province in 1551. When Chairman Mao was all the rage and millions of people were flashing his Little Red Book, Qadaffy came out with his own Little Green Book, which didn't do as well. Qadaffy's instability has been an inspiration to the Arab world and to Africa, which he would like to rule... who has ruled the North-African state for over 40 yeas, after human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... organizations and media reports have claimed that more than 300 Libyan citizens have been killed in the unrest. In a press statement distributed to the press on Sunday the OIC stated that the countries that are witnessing popular demonstrations must deal with these events "with a great deal of patience, wisdom, and forward looking vision." The OIC also called "upon all concerned [parties] to resort to peaceful means in order to avoid violence and bloodshed" adding that "the aspiration of the Mohammedan World for good governance, the rule of law, the promotion of human rights, fighting corruption, and the expansion of political participation and comprehensive development, is recognized by the OIC Charter in its fundamental principles. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-23 |
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