Morocco Calls on OIC Member States to Set Asides Differences, Resolve Disputes

Morocco Calls on OIC Member States to Set Asides Differences, Resolve Disputes
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Morocco Calls on OIC Member States to Set Asides Differences, Resolve Disputes

Morocco Calls on OIC Member States to Set Asides Differences, Resolve Disputes

Moroccan Speaker Habib El Malki called Monday on the Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states to set aside their differences and work on resolving them through dialogue.

“We must leave the controversial issues aside and resolve differences with dialogue and conviction,” Malki said at the opening of the 41st meeting of the PUIC Executive Committee, which is being held as part of the 14th session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC).

The meeting will be held until March 14 and aims to discuss a number of topics, including the activities of the political affairs and foreign relations committee and economic and environment affairs committee.

Malki said Islamic countries are facing unprecedented challenges that are complicated by regional and international crises, while “our people aspire to enjoy social and economic rights, stability and dignity.”

He said the OIC must adopt internal dialogue to work out and overcome differences, adding that solutions cannot be found in one pack but should be built on accumulations and be based on a vision, which is the closest to reality.

The speaker said having different views is the essence of democracy, which should bring benefits to people despite their differences.

PUIC Secretary-General, Senegalese Mohamed Khouraichi Niass said Muslims are facing the challenges of the unjust world order.

“No one ignores that the voice of Muslims is now heard at international forums and also, everyone is aware of the maltreatment of Muslims, which requires our unity to defend our just causes,” he said.

The PUIC was established in June 1999. It includes 54 parliaments and 22 regional and international organizations and parliaments with an observer status.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.