OIC Stresses its Rejection of All Forms of Terrorism

The OIC stressed the need to combat all terrorist groups and organizations.
The OIC stressed the need to combat all terrorist groups and organizations.
TT
20

OIC Stresses its Rejection of All Forms of Terrorism

The OIC stressed the need to combat all terrorist groups and organizations.
The OIC stressed the need to combat all terrorist groups and organizations.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) stressed on Tuesday the need to combat all terrorist groups and organizations wherever they are, adding that terrorism constitutes a flagrant violation of international law, including international humanitarian law and human rights law.

The announcement came during the statement delivered by Saudi Arabia on behalf of the OIC Group before the Sixth Committee of the General Assembly on “Measures to eliminate international terrorism,” held in New York on Tuesday.

Nidaa Abu Ali, First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Saudi Arabia to the UN, said the OIC Group condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, regardless of the motivations, the identity of the perpetrator and the location it was committed.

“The Group reaffirms that terrorism could not be associated with any religion, race, faith, theology, values, culture or society,” Abu Ali said, reiterating the OIC’s respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of all states in accordance with the UN Charter.

The Group also strongly condemned any attempt to link Islam with terrorism to achieve narrow interests.

“The OIC firmly rejects targeting Muslim minorities during COVID-19, blaming them for the local transmission of the virus,” Abu Ali said.

She reiterated the importance of promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation among religions, cultures and civilizations for peace and harmony in the world, welcoming all regional and international initiatives and efforts to that end.

“The Group believes that it is essential to follow a comprehensive approach in combating terrorism by addressing the root causes of terrorism, including the unlawful use of force, aggression, foreign occupation, festering international disputes and political marginalization and alienation,” she said.

She added that the Group believes that it is essential that Member States bolster their cooperation and coordination with the aim of prosecuting the perpetrators of the terrorist acts and preventing providing any finance, safe havens, assistance or weapons to terrorist groups and organizations.

She said the OIC looks forward towards the convening of a second-high level conference under the auspices of the UN in order to formulate joint organized response by the international community to terrorism in all its forms.



Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Are Not Part of the ‘Axis of Resistance’

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Reuters)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Reuters)
TT
20

Iraqi Foreign Minister: We Are Not Part of the ‘Axis of Resistance’

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Reuters)
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein (Reuters)

A day after Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stated that Iran does not have proxies in the region, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein declared that Baghdad is not part of what is known as the “Axis of Resistance.”

Hussein’s statement aligns with similar calls from Iraqi political leaders urging the country to avoid becoming entangled in the ongoing regional escalation. His remarks come amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, fueled by renewed Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Gaza and the resurgence of Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping lanes.

In a televised interview, Hussein asserted: “Iraq is not part of the ‘Axis of Resistance’ and does not believe in the concept of ‘unified battlefronts.’ We only recognize the Iraqi battlefield.”

He emphasized that Iraq’s constitution prohibits armed groups operating outside official military institutions and does not allow unilateral decisions to engage in war.

He also criticized the actions of Iraqi armed factions over the past months, stating that their involvement has harmed Iraq without benefiting the Palestinian cause. According to Hussein, the recent escalation has forced Iraq to prioritize its national interests, particularly after receiving direct threats from the US administration.

The foreign minister suggested that there is still room for dialogue with armed factions to prevent Iraq from becoming a target of potential military strikes by external forces such as the US or Israel.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iran recently sent a message to Iraqi Shiite faction leaders, instructing them to avoid provoking the US and Israel.

Discussing Iraq’s relationship with the US, Hussein noted a shift in American policy, particularly regarding energy imports from Iran. He revealed that Washington has officially informed Iraq that it will not extend waivers for importing Iranian energy, a decision made clear during a recent meeting in Paris.

The minister warned that Iraq could face a severe electricity crisis in the coming summer if the government does not take urgent action. He urged the Iraqi ministries of electricity and oil to collaborate in finding solutions to mitigate the potential energy shortfall.

Hussein also cautioned that if Iran fails to reach an agreement with the new US administration, it could become a target of an Israeli military strike.

“Such a development would have catastrophic consequences for Iraq and the entire region,” he warned.