OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO
15-18 RABIUL AWAL 1420H, (28 JUNE - 01 JULY 1999)

The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Rabi ul Awwal 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the Question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, contained in Document No. ICFM/26-99/PAL/D.1;

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

Pursuant to the Islamic resolutions on the Cause of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict;

Recalling the resolutions adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, especially Resolutions 242; 338; 465; 476 and 478, and the Resolutions of the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organization of African Unity and the League of Arab States on the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories including the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the other occupied Arab territories;

Recalling the resolutions of the Extraordinary Tenth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations the most recent of which was Resolution ES 10/6 on the organization of a Conference of the High-Contracting Parties of the Fourth Geneva Convention in order to study the enforcement of the provisions of the Convention in the occupied Palestinian Territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

Reaffirming the commitment of Islamic States to realizing just and comprehensive peace in the region, and upholding peace as a strategic option;

Expressing its strong condemnation of Israel's continuing repressive and terrorist measures and practices, its continued policy of colonization, expansion of existing settlements, confiscation of land and properties, mass reprisal against Palestinian and Arab citizens in all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, its siege of the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the desecration of Islamic and Christian Holy Shrines;

Condemning the continuous Israeli aggression against Lebanese territories and the civilian population;

Emphasizing that the Israeli policies, practices and expansionist designs, do not only threaten the Arab states and the peace process but also threaten the other Islamic States and endanger international peace and security;

Holding Israel fully responsible for the halting of the Middle East Peace Process along all tracks as a result of the intransigence of the Israeli government and its evasion of the principles on which the peace process has been built especially Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425 as well as the "Land for Peace" formula and its non-compliance with all the agreements concluded in this regard.

Expressing deep concern over the alarming situation resulting from the hindering by Israel of efforts exerted to reach a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestine cause and the Arab-Israeli conflict on the basis of Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425, as well as the principle of "Land for Peace" and the realisation of the national and political legitimate rights of the Palestinian people;

Commending the efforts made by the Palestine Liberation Organization throughout the occupied Palestinian territories, for the development and reconstruction of what had been destroyed by the Israeli occupation, as well as the efforts exerted by its National Authority for the rehabilitation of the Palestinian national economy and its consolidation, on the way to the establishment of the independent Palestinian State on its national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital;

Determined to support these efforts through all possible means,

1. Reaffirms all the resolutions of the Islamic Conferences relating to the question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict.

2. Reaffirms also that the Cause of Al Quds Al Sharif and Palestine is the prime cause of Islam and all Muslims, and expresses its full solidarity with the Palestine Liberation Organization in its just struggle for ending Israeli occupation and allowing the return of the Palestinan people to its homeland, enabling it to exercise its full sovereignty over its territories and building the Palestinian national institutions on the land of Palestine, with a view to realizing the imprescriptible and inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to return, to self-determination and to the establishment of their independent State on their national soil, with the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

3. Calls on Member States to further strengthen their solidarity with the Palestinian people, and continue to support their just and legitimate struggle for ending Israeli occupation and achieving all their goals of freedom and independence.

4. Reaffirms its support for the Middle East Peace Process and the implementation of all the agreements signed in this context among the parties concerned and the commitments made in accordance with the underpinnings of the Madrid Peace Conference, and in accordance with the UN Charter and the UN resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolutions 242, 338 and 425 and the land-for-peace principle which ensure’s Israel's withdrawal from all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, realisation of the inalienable national rights of the Palestinian people, complete Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan to 4th June 1967 borderline, and the occupied Lebanese territory back to internationally recognised borders.

5. Reaffirms that Al-Quds Al-Sharif forms an integral part of the Palestinian territory occupied in 1967 and whatever is applicable to other occupied Palestinian territories also applies to it, in implementation of the resolutions of the Security Council and the UN General Assembly, underlines the need for hatting all measures and pradices aimed at changing the geographical and demographic status of the city and violating the sanctity of Islamic and Christian shrines with a view to judaizing them and calls for combining efforts to restore Al-Quds Al-Sharif to Palestinian sovereignty as the capital of the State of Palestine, so as to ensure peace and security in the region.

6.

7. Requests the Security Council to reactivate the International Committee for the Prevention of Settlement in Al-Quds and the Occupied Palestinian and Arab Territories in implementation to Resolution 446, and calls for continued efforts and contacts with the States of the world urging the implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy, particularly Security Council Resolution No. 465 (1980) which considered and settlement as illegitimate and demanded the dismantling of the existing settlements.

8. Urges the international community and all states that extend economic and financial assistance to Israel, in particular the United States of America, and the States of European Union, as well as international donor institutions and funds, to cease assistance which is used by Israel to implement its colonialist and expansionist designs in the occupied Arab territories and the Occupied Syrian Golan.

9. Urges the international community and all States of the world to boycott the products and commodities for the colonial settlements in the occupied territories in implementation of the resolutions of international legitimacy as such products and commodities are illegitimate.

10. Affirms that Israel’s disregard for the principles and underpinnings of the peace process, backtracking on the commitments, pledges and agreements made in the framework of this process, procrastination and evasion seriously undermine the peace process and holds the Israeli government responsible for this situation.

11- Calls for continued endeavours for the implementation of Security Council resolutions No. 237 (1967), No.338 (1973) and the relevant UN resolutions on the return of the displaced persons.

12- Demands the UN to dispatch a fact finding mission to investigate the into the conditions in the Palestinian lands, their uses proceeds, the violation of the rights of their ownership and their misuse, and to obtain complete copies of all documents and maps of lands which are in the possession of the Israeli Administration, and to exert efforts to implement No. 57/43 dated 6.12.1988 of the UN General Assembly on the Proceeds of the properties of Palestinian Refugees which stipulates that the Secretary General "shall take the appropriate steps, in coordination with the UN Reconciliation Committee Concerned with Palestine, to protect the Arab properties, assets and ownership rights in Israel, and to set up a fund to receive their proceeds on behalf of their owners." And demands the UN to appoint a permanent official in charge of these properties to submit a regular report to the UN on the conditions and protection of these properties pending the return of their owners.

13- Calls on the states of the world to recognize the State of Palestine upon its declaration on the Palestinian land, and to extend all forms of support to the Palestinian people in order to enable it to exercise it sovereignty on its land in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.

14. Urges Islamic States which have begun to take steps towards establishing relations with Israel within the framework of the peace process to reconsider their relationships with Israel, including the closing of missions and offices until Israel abides by the UN resolutions and implement the agreements, obligations and commitments arrived at by the parties to the peace process, in accordance with the principles adopted by the Madrid Conference, the OSLO Accord and the other agreements concluded with the PLO, as well as obligations and commitments arrived at with the Arab parties on all tracks during the peace talks.

15. Calls for action within UN and all international institutions and fora to compel Israel to release the detainees; return the deportees; halt the methods of mass punishment; cease the confiscation of lands and properties and the demolition of homes; also cease any actions that threaten life and the environment in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

16. Calls for a more effective UN action to ensure the success of the Middle East peace process, for a reaffirmation of the continued UN responsibility for the cause of Palestine until a just and comprehensive solution to all its aspects is found, a solution that puts an end to Israeli occupation and enables the Palestinian people to exercise their imprescriptible and inalienable national rights, including their right to return to their land, self-determination and the establishment of their independent State on their territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

17. Urges all States and concerned parties to extend their support to the international programme on economic, social and cultural development in the occupied Palestinian territories to avail the Palestinian people of the necessary approved assistance for the reconstruction of its national economy and to back up its national institutions and enable it to establish its independent State with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

18. Calls for abiding by the provisions of the Islamic Boycott against Israel and to consider the legislation, rules and provisions governing the Boycott "the General Principles of the Boycott, Islamic law, the Internal Regulations and Sessional Meetings of the Regional Offices" as part of the current national legislations, and set up the necessary offices and mechanisms to serve that end.

19. Strongly condemns Israel's continuing occupation of parts of southern Lebanon and its Western Biqa'h region, its arbitrary practices and military acts of aggression against the Lebanese citizens and against the Palestinian refugees in their camps in Lebanon; calls upon the UN Security Council to take the necessary measures to put an immediate end to these acts of aggression; calls for the implementation of the Security Council resolution on Lebanon, especially Resolution 425 (1978), Israel's immediate, total and unconditional withdrawal from the Lebanese territory. It affirms its resolve to maintain the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon within its internationally recognized borders.

20. Strongly condemns the policy of Israel in refusing to comply with Security Council resolution 497 (1981), and in imposing its jurisdiction, its laws and its administration on the occupied Syrian Golan, as well as Israel's policies of annexation, establishment of settlements, expropriation of lands, diversion of water resources and imposition of Israeli nationality on Syrian citizens. It considers that all those measures are null and void, and constitute a violation of the rules and principles of international law, relating to occupation and war and particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949. It demands the complete withdrawal of Israel from the entire occupied Syrian Golan to the lines of 4 June 1967.

21. Demands the international community and the Security Council to compel Israel to comply with U.N. Resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 487(1981), to accede to the treaty of Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to implement General Assembly and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolutions calling for the subjection of all Israeli Atomic facilities to the IAEA Comprehensive Safeguards System, to obtain Israel's renunciation of nuclear armament, and to submit a full report on its capabilities and stockpile of nuclear weapons and ammunition to the Security Council and the International Atomic Energy Agency as those steps are essential for the establishment of a zone free from weapons of mass destruction, and primarily nuclear weapons in the Middle East region, a fundamental factor for the establishment of a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

22. Reaffirms the continued responsibility of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to carry on fulfilling the tasks assigned to it for the benefit of all the Palestinian citizens wherever they may be living in accordance with the resolution of the UN General Assembly in this regard, and calls upon the Member States to request the UN Secretary General to see to it that the Conciliation Committee undertakes in collaboration with the Relief Agency and the concerned States the preparation of a comprehensive inventory of Palestinian refugees and their property and come out with a integrated conception for the settlement of their problems on the basis of their right to return to their homeland Palestine in accordance with the UN Resolution No. 194. It further calls on all states to provide more assistance towards the Agency’s budget so as to enable it continue providing its prescribed services.

23. Calls for convening an international symposium on the question of Palestinian refugees during 1999, in coordination with the League of Arab States and the State of Palestine, in accordance with the provisions of international law and relevant UN resolutions, particularly Resolution No. 194.

24. Requests the Secretary General to take necessary measures for continuing and strengthening contacts and coordination on the Question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict between the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the League of Arab States, the Organization of African Unity, the Non-Aligned Movement, the European Union, and the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, and expresses its appreciation for their all supportive stands and assistance for the just struggle of the Palestinian people.

25. Requests also the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Rabi ul Awwal 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the Question of Palestine and the Arab-Israeli Conflict, contained in Document No. ICFM/26-99/PAL/D.2;

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

Pursuant to the Islamic resolutions which reaffirm that the issue of Al-Quds Al-Sharif constitutes the essence of the Palestinian cause which forms the core of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and that no comprehensive and just peace can be achieved without the return of Al-Quds Al-Sharif to the Palestinian sovereignty, as the capital of the State of Palestine;

Recalling the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and Security Council, in particular resolutions 465, 476 and 478 on the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

Reaffirming the resolutions of the Tenth Extraordinary Session of the United Nations General Assembly No. 10/2 and No. EST-10/3 dated 24.4.1997 and 15.7.1997, Resolution No. ES 4/10-ES dated 13.11.1997, Resolution No. 5/19-ES dated 17.3.1999 and Resolution No. 6/10-ES dated 9.2.1999, respectively on the illegal Israeli actions in occupied East Al-Quds and the other occupied Palestinian territories;

Expressing its deep concern at the escalation of Israel's acts of aggression against the Holy Places in the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and other Palestinian cities and violation of their sanctity;

Reiterating all Security Council Resolutions on Al-Quds including. 681 which provides for the applicability of all the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 concerning the protection of civilians in times of war to the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

Strongly condemning all illegal Israeli measures and practices, which also contravene all international resolutions and laws, carried out by the Israeli occupation authorities in Al-Quds Al-Sharif aimed at judaizing the Holy City and obliterating its Arab and Islamic landmarks;

Commending the continuous efforts made by all Member States to defend the sanctity of the Islamic places in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to safeguard their Arabic identity and their Islamic character, and protect them from Zionist misuse and judaization plans;

Commending also the contribution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan towards the rehabilitation of Al-Aqsa Mosque and the honoured Dome of the Rock which had been undertaken by the late King Hussein Ibn Talal;

1. Reaffirms all the resolutions adopted by the relevant Islamic Conferences including the Third Islamic Summit Conference on Al-Quds Al-Sharif, the recommendations and decisions of the Al-Quds Committee at its previous sessions.

2. Reaffirms that a just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without an Israel’s withdrawal from all occupied Palestinian and Arab territories foremost of which is Al-Quds Al-Sharif as it forms an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 and that whatever is applicable to the rest of the occupied territories applies to it in implementation of the relevant UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions.

3. Urges action to halt all practices, and measures undertaken by the Israeli occupation authorities in Al-Quds Al-Sharif aimed at altering the geographic and demographic conditions and violating the sanctity of the Islamic and Christian shrines in order to judaize the Holy City. It calls for combined efforts to restore Al-Quds Al-Sharif to Palestinian sovereignty as the capital of the State of Palestine so as to ensure peace and security in the region.

4. Invites the Member States to continue their support to the Palestine Liberation Organization in the ongoing negotiations for the transfer of all powers and responsibilities in the occupied Palestinian territories including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to the Palestinian National Authority, to support the steadfastness of the citizens of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, to establish developmental economic, cultural, social and architectural projects and construct housing units for them, to restore their existing houses and to support the national Palestinian institutions in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

5. Invites States of the world and all international organizations and bodies to refrain from having any dealings with the Israeli occupation authorities which might be interpreted in any way by those authorities as an implicit recognition of the "fait accompli" imposed by Israel proclaiming Al-Quds as its capital.

6. Further invites the international community, and in particular the two co-sponsors of the Peace Conference, to compel Israel not to effect any geographical or demographical alterations in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif during the transitional period and to refrain from any action or measure that may affect the outcome of the negotiations on the final status of the City, adhere to the relevant international resolutions, lift the siege imposed on Al-Quds Al-Sharif, ensure the freedom of worship therein, and refrain from destroying houses, withdrawing identity cards of Maghdesi citizens aimed at emptying Al-Quds Al-Sharif of its Arab Palestinian citizens.

7. Reaffirms that all legislative, administrative and colonization measures aimed at altering the legal status of the Holy City are null and void and contrary to the resolutions of international legality, and to international agreements, conventions and norms, as well as to the agreements signed between the Palestinian and Israeli parties. It calls on the international community, in particular the two co-sponsors of the peace process, to pressure Israel into complying with the resolutions of the international legality and implement resolutions of the Tenth Extraordinary Session of the General Assembly pursuant to the "Resolution of the Alliance for Peace" regarding the cessation of building work on a Jewish settlement at Jebel Abu Ghuneim as well as all other settlement activity, including expansion of existing settlements, building of ring roads, confiscating land adjacent to settlements, and related activities, which constitute a violation of the Security Council resolutions.

8. Strongly condemns Israel's persistence in the excavation works around the holy shrine of the Blessed Al Aqsa Mosque and the holy Mosque of the Dome of the Rock, especially the opening of a tunnel in Al-Quds Al-Sharif which endangers the Islamic and Christian holy shrines especially the Blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque. It demands the international community and the Security Council to implement the latter’s Resolutions on the Protection of the Status of Al Quds, to adopt a mechanism for the implementation of its latest Resolution No. 1073 of 1996 and to take the appropriate measures to ensure that the Security Council will follow up the implementation of the Final Declaration of its Chairman adopted by the Council on 13.7.1998 including the adoption of appropriate decisions and measures thereon in accordance with the UN Charter as the actions undertaken by Israel in Al Quds constitute a violation of the bases of peace in the Middle East, a threat to international peace and security, and an act of aggression.

9. Strongly condemns the Israeli Supreme Court's decisions, particularly the decision adopted on 25.7.1996 allowing Jews to pray in the precinct of the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the decision issued on 23.9.1993, claiming the Blessed Mosque of Al-Aqsa as part of the territory of the State of Israel, and considers it null, void and illegal, and constitute premediated provocations aimed at opening the way for the Zionist extremist organizations to continue their violations against the sanctity of the Blessed Mosque of Al-Aqsa, to establish their presence in its precincts, and to continue looting the religious, historical and cultural relics in Al-Quds and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, thus submitting international security and peace to serious risks.

10. Strongly condemns Israel for its decision to expand the boundaries of Al-Quds municipality and for issuing orders for closing the Palestinian institutions in Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and preventing them from operating freely, and considers such arbitrary measures as a continued violation of the agreements concluded between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israeli parties within the framework of the peace process, as well as a blatant violation of international conventions and agreements, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and a breach of the principles and underpinnings of the Madrid Peace Process.

11. Demands all States to adhere to Security Council Resolution No. 478 (1980) which invites the member States to uphold the provisions of the said resolution and refrain from transferring their diplomatic missions to the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif. Takes note with appreciation of the general response of the states of the world to this resolution and their compliance with it.

12. Condemns the decision of the US Congress to recognize Al-Quds as the united capital of Israel and to transfer the offices of US Embassy from Tel Aviv to the City of Al-Quds, and considers this decision and its implementation as a prejudicial act and a serious provocation to the sentiments of Muslims and all believers in the world, as well as a blatant violation of the principles of international legality and the stand of the international community, and a glaring contradiction to the role of the United States of America as a sponsor of the peace process., besides being an encouragement to Israel to pursue its aggressive expansionist policy; and calls on the US Administration to adhere to the provisions of Security Council Resolution No. 478.

13. Commends the efforts made by Al-Quds Committee, under the chairmanship of His Majesty King Hassasn II, Sovereign of the Kingdom of Morocco, affirms all resolutions adopted by the Committee, in particular the 17^th Session, held in Casablanca on 4-5 Rabiul II 1419H (29-30 July 1998), and urges Member States to apply them.

14. Invites Member States, Financial Institutions, Islamic Funds, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Companies and individuals to offer generous assistance to support Bayt Mal Al-Quds and Al-Quds Fund, and to organize popular fund raising campaigns in favour of Al-Quds City so that institutions and circles therein may play their role in supporting and assisting the steadfastness of the city’s population in the face of occupation

15. Emphasises the need to continue coordination action with regional, international and other organizations for the implementation of the international resolutions adopted by United Nations and its specialized agencies, in particular UNESCO, and also coordination with the League of Arab States, and the holding of conferences and seminars to promote the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif, and highlight the dangers surrounding it.

16. Invites the Vatican, the Eastern and other Christian Churches to take part in the resistance against the Judaization of Al-Quds Al-Sharif out of respect for the spiritual dimension of all religions, for the sake of peaceful coexistence among them, and in compliance with Security Council resolution No. 242 of 22/11/1967 which demands that Israel withdraw from the part occupied in 1967 including the City of Al-Quds Al-Sharif as well as the other Security Council Resolutions in particular:

17. Calls upon the Security Council to take necessary measures that ensure compliance with its resolutions on Al-Quds in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter.

18. Calls for holding official and popular celebrations on the occasion of (Islamic Solidarity Day with the Palestinian People) which corresponds to 21 August of every year (Gregorian) - commemoration of the criminal Zionist attempt to burn the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, aimed at defending the cause of Palestine and mobilizing assistance for liberating the city of Al-Quds.

19. Invites capitals of Islamic States to carry out twinning arrangements with Al-Quds Al-Sharif, capital of Palestine, in order to strengthen Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and as an honour, by the Islamic Ummah, for its steadfast inhabitants who are defending the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and other sacred places, and for their perseverance against Israeli occupation, as well as for their glorious steadfastness and valiant stand against designs to judaize their sacred city.

20. Urges Member States to continue issuing (Al-Quds Stamp) in a regular manner and to regularly remit its revenue to the account with the IDB in favour of the Committee for Sponsoring the Families of Fighters and Martyrs of Palestine.

21. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Rabi ul Awwal 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Having considered the item titled "The Occupied Syrian Golan" and Israel's decision of 14 December 1981 to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian Golan;

Having reviewed the repressive measures to which the Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan are being subjected and Israel's continued attempts to force them to accept Israeli identity;

Recalling the relevant resolutions of previous Islamic Conferences, the latest being Resolution 3/25-P of the Twenty-fifth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Doha, State of Qatar.

Recalling also Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) dated 17.12.1981 and the relevant UN General Assembly Resolutions, the latest of which are resolution No. 38/53 adopted by the Fifty-third Session dated 2/12/1998;

Observing that Israel, in contravention of Article 25 of the United Nations Charter, has refused to accept and implement the numerous relevant resolutions adopted by the Security Council, in particular resolution 497 (1981); which considered null and void and with no legal basis Israel’s decision to annex the occupied Syrian Golan;

Deeply concerned at Israel’s persistent attempts to defy the international community and its reaffirmation of the annexation decisions though they were considered null and void by the international community;

Affirming that the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in time of War (dated 12 August 1949) applies to the occupied Syrian Golan and that setting up settlements and bringing settlers to this area constitutes a violation of this Convention and of the Madrid Conference and an obstacle to the peace process;

Affirming the basic principle of the inadmissibility of acquisition of territories by force;

Concerned at the fact that Israel has not withdrawn from the occupied Syrian Golan which it occupies since 1967 contrary to the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, the UN General Assembly as well as the international law.

Expressing concern over Israel's disavowal of the Peace Process which was launched by the Madrid Conference on the basis of the UN Security Council resolutions 242, 338 and 425, as well as peace-for-land formula and over the risk resulting from Israel's renunciation of the commitments and obligations reached,

1. Lauds the steadfastness of the Syrian Arab citizens in the Syrian Golan against the occupation and their valiant resistance to Israel's repressive measures and against the continued attempts to weaken their attachment to their land and to their Syrian Arab identity, and declares its support for this resistance.

2. Strongly condemns Israel for its non-compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 497 (1981) and reaffirms that Israel's decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration on the Occupied Syrian Golan is illegal, null and void and has no legal validity whatsoever and that it constitutes a flagrant violation of the OIC Charter and relevant resolutions, the UN Charter and relevant resolutions, the Geneva convention on the protection of civilians in time of war dated 12 August 1949 and relevant provisions of the Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907, and the principles of international law in particular the inadmissibility of acquisition of territory by force.

3. Strongly condemns Israel for its persistence in changing the legal status, demographic composition and institutional structure of the Occupied Syrian Golan, and for its policy and practices of confiscating lands, appropriating water resources, establishing and expanding settlements and transferring settlers and immigrants thereto, exploiting its natural resources and establishing projects on it, and imposing an economic boycott of the agricultural products of the local population and prohibiting their exportation.

4. Strongly condemns Israel's attempts to impose Israeli nationality and identity cards on the Syrian Arab citizens, as these measures constitute a flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilians in Time of War of 1949 and the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly and other international bodies.

5. Condemns Israeli threats against Syria aiming at increasing tension in the region and wrecking the peace process.

6. Reaffirms that Israel’s continued occupation of the Syrian Golan since 1967 and its annexation of it on 14 December 1981 constitute a permanent threat to peace and security in the region.

7. Demands Israel to fully withdraw from all the occupied Syrian Golan to the lines of the Fourth of June 1967 in implementation of relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council.

8. Demands Israel to fully comply with the fundamental principles of the peace process as initiated in Madrid consistent with Security Council resolutions Nos. 242,338 and 425 and the principle of "land for peace" and to abide by all the commitments, and pledges reached so far.

9. Demands anew all states to stop providing Israel with any military, economic and financial, technical and human assistance that may extend Israeli occupation of Arab territories and encourage Israel to pursue its expansionist settlement policy.

10. Calls upon the co-sponsors of the peace process and the international community to assume their responsibilities and compel Israel to implement the resolutions of international legality calling for total Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Syrian Golan and the other occupied Arab territories to the lines of 4 June 1967 in order to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

11. Declares its support for the firm position of Syria in its commitment to a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

12. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution, and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Safar 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Recalling the Resolutions adopted by the Organization of the Islamic Conference on the solidarity with the Lebanon to end the Israeli occupation of its territories in the South and in the Western Bikaa;

Recalling also the resolutions of the Human Rights Commission in Geneva on the suffering of Lebanese citizens under Israeli occupation in Southern Lebanon, Western Bikaa as well as in Israeli prisons and detention camps administered by its forces;

Noting that the continued Israeli occupation of parts of Southern Lebanon and the Western Bikaa constitutes a flagrant violation of the provisions of the international law and persistence in disregarding Security Council Resolution No.425 (1978);

Being concerned over continued Israeli aggression and arbitrary practices in occupied Lebanese territories particularly the kidnapping and detention of innocent citizens and their imprisonment without trials in Israeli prisons and camps controlled by forces belonging to it in flagrant violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 relating to the protection of civilian population in the time of war and the Convention of the Hague of 1907;

Confirming Lebanon's right to reparations for human casualties and for the damages resulting from repeated Israeli attacks,

1. Strongly condemns Israel for its continued occupation of parts of Southern Lebanon and the Lebanese Western Bikaa, and invites the international community, especially the UN and all its organs to endeavour to implement Security Council Resolution No. 425 (1978) which provides for Israel's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all the occupied Lebanese territories to the internationally recognized boundaries.

2. Demands the international community to take all necessary measures to compel Israel to release all Lebanese prisoners and kidnapped individuals from Israeli prisons and those controlled by forces belonging to it in contravention of the provisions of the international law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949) and the Convention of the Hague (1907). It urges OIC Member States to approach the international organizations to take all measures with the Government of Israel, the occupying authority, with the aim of enabling the International Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations to visit the prisoners detained in Al-Khiyann and Marjaioun camps on regular basis to examine their conditions and to ensure medical and humanitarian care for them and to allow-their relatives to visit them regularly.

3. Strongly condemns Israel for its continued criminal aggression against Lebanese territories, resulting in casualties among civilians and losses in property. These acts of aggression also lead to the aggravation of political and security conditions in the area. Condemns especially the Israeli aggression against the electric power generation stations, transport routes, and the homes of civilians, and the resulting significant loss of life and destruction of property.

4. Calls on the international community, international judicial and political institutions, and Member States thereof, to condemn Israel and bring pressure on it to pay compensations to Lebanon for the damages sustained as a result of its repeated aggressions on Lebanese territory, and to work to put an end to these inhuman aggressions and practices against unarmed inhabitants, economic facilities, and infrastructure.

5. Asserts its support and backing for the efforts exerted by the Lebanese State to impose its control and sovereignty over the totality of its territories including the parts occupied by Israel in Southern Lebanon and Western Bikka.

6. Strongly condemns Israel for occupying, once again, Arnoon town, demolishing a number of its houses, harassing its inhabitants to compel them to leave the town for good, encircling it with barbed wire and annexing it to already occupied Lebanese territories, considered a blatant violation of the principles of international law, the universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and urges international organizations and their member states to assume their responsibility towards this aggressive action.

7. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Rabi ul Awwal 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference;

Referring to all the Islamic Resolutions adopted on Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

Reaffirming the principle of consolidating Islamic solidarity with the Palestinian people and their just and legitimate struggle;

Paying tribute to those States, foremost among which is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, that regularly fulfill their obligations and make donations to Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf;

Appreciating the significance of the vital role played by Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf to support the steadfastness and struggle of the Palestinian people within the occupied Palestinian territories, and particularly the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif;

Noting with deep concern Israel’s continued pursuit of its aggressive, expansionist and settlement policy;

Commending the positive role played by the Governing Board of Al-Quds Fund in quest of financial resources to promote the Fund and its Waqf,

1. Reaffirms all previous relevant resolutions adopted by successive Islamic Conferences.

2. Expresses its profound thanks and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the continued support to Al-Quds Fund, which falls within the framework of their consistent solicitude towards the foremost cause of the Islamic Ummah, namely the cause of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and Palestine.

3. Urges Member States to initiate donation campaigns in favour of Al-Quds Fund and its Waqf, together with the appropriate directives to the public and other media to conduct a parallel campaign for this purpose.

4. Calls upon Member States to continue their support to the Palestine Liberation Organisation, especially at this decisive stage, for the consolidation of its national authority over all occupied Palestinian territories including Al-Quds Al-Sharif, capital of the independent Palestinian State, and to extend all forms of support to the Palestinian people so they can build their institutions and national economy.

5. Commends the positive role played by Al-Quds Fund in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and boosting their struggle.

6. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ougadougou, Burkina Faso from 15 to 18 Rabi ul Awwal 1420H (28 June to 1 July, 1999),

Referring to the declaration on the current situation of the peace process in the Middle East issued by the Twenty-Fourth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Jakarta, Indonesia, from 28 Rajab to 2 Sha’aban 1417H (9-12 December 1996), as well as to the declaration on the question of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Arab-Israeli conflict issued by the Extraordinary Meeting of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Islamabad, Pakistan, on 13 Dhul Qaada 1417H (23/3/1997), and to resolution 6/8-P (IS), issued by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in Tehran, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Iran, between 9-11 Sha’aban 1418H (9-11 December, 1997) to resolution 6/25-P of the Twenty-fifth Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Doha, State of Qatar, from 17-19 Zul Qadah 1418H (15-17 March 1998) and to the Final Declaration adopted by the 17^th Session of Al-Quds Committee, held in Casblanca, Kingdom of Morocco on 4-5 Rabiul Thani, 1419H (29-30 July 1998);

Having examined the serious and urgent situation entailed by the continued policies of the incumbent Israeli government which are hostile to peace,

1. Reaffirms its continued solidarity with the Palestinian people for the recovery of its legitimate and inalienable national rights, including its right to return, to self-determination, and to the establishment of its independent state on its national territory with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

2. Reaffirms its full support to the peace process in the Middle East and its commitment to the foundations and principles of the peace process, and demands that Israel respect and implement the commitments, obligations and agreements reached within the framework of the process in accordance with the principles adopted at the Madrid Conference and consistent with the United Nations Resolutions, in particular Security Council Resolutions No. 242, 338 and 425, and the "land-for-peace" formula which guarantees Israeli withdrawal from all Palestinian territories, including Al-Quds Al-Sharif and the Golan Heights of Syria, to the lines of 4 June 1967, and from occupied Southern Lebanon and the Western Bikaa to the internationally recognized borders.

3. Calls on the co-sponsors of the peace process and the international community to be wary of the grave dangers resulting from Israel’s pursuance of positions and policies hostile to peace.

4. Strongly denounces the Israeli government’s policy and practices which are hostile to peace and are designed to undermine the peace process through the continued colonization of Arab and Palestinian territories, including the city of Al-Quds Al Sharif, and also designed to invalidate the foundations and terms of reference of the Madrid Peace Conference, and evade the commitments, pledges and agreements reached in the past years of peace talks with the Palestinian and other Arab parties.

5. Expresses its strong condemnation and anger regarding the threats voiced by Israeli officials for the purpose of reinstating the atmosphere of war in the region and imposing the fait accompli on Arabs and Muslims.

6. Urges the member states which have started to take steps towards establishing relations with Israel within the framework of the Peace Process to reconsider their relations with Israel, including the closing of missions and offices until Israel complies with the relevant UN resolutions, in particular, the full Israeli withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories, and safeguards the national legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, and implements the agreements and commitments reached by the parties to the Peace Process.

7. Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and to submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Recalling all the previous resolutions and declarations adopted by the OIC on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Expressing its support for the declaration adopted at the Madrid Peace Implementation Council Meeting held on 15-16 December 1998 and conclusions of its previous meetings;

Deeply concerned with the slow and insufficient detention of the indicted war criminals;

Reaffirms the commitment of the OIC Member States to preserve unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina within its internationally recognized borders as well as its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious structure as foreseen in Dayton Peace Agreement, and declares their full support for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement;

1. Urges the international community to speed up the implementation process.

2. Underlines the important role for the Republic of Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to play in the successful development of the peace process in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

3. Emphasizes the crucial role of the International Criminal Tribunal relating to Bosnia and Herzegovina in promoting peace, justice and reconciliation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and urges the international community to pursue urgently the request, as expressed in the UNGA Resolutions, to speed-up the investigations of the horrible massacres in Srebrenika.

4. Urges the international community to take decisive steps in arresting those war criminals and bringing them before the International Tribunal to punish them for the war crimes which they committed.

5. Stresses that a comprehensive and coordinated return of refugees and displaced persons throughout the region is crucial for achieving lasting peace.

6. Emphasizes also the importance of the economic recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the key role of economic revitalization in consolidating peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and urges the donor countries to disburse timely their pledges, as announced at the last Brussels Donor Conference.

7. Requests that the valuable efforts exerted by the Assistance Mobilization Group be continued until a viable economic recovery is sustained in the whole country.

8. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Bearing in mind Resolution No. 7/8-P (IS) on the Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Tehran from 9 to 11 December1997, the Special Declaration on Current Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Tehran on the 7^th of December 1997, The Declaration on Friendship and Partnership, adopted by the Enlarged Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group, held in Sarajevo, on the 10th April 1996, as well as the relevant Islamic resolutions;

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the OIC which emphasize the commitment of the Islamic Ummah to consolidation of international peace and security;

Bearing in mind the obligations of all states to act in conformity with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter;

Reaffirming the commitment of the OIC Member States to preserve the internationally recognized legal continuity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, its sovereignty and territorial integrity, its international personality as the State with two multiethnic entities, and fully supporting its peaceful and democratic reintegration as a sovereign democratic, multiethnic and civic state;

Reiterating the position of the OIC Member States to participate fully in the implementation of the spirit and letter of the Dayton peace Agreement;

Emphasizing the crucial importance of the acceleration of the full effective, consistent, impartial an legally founded implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement;

Underlining the need for the uncompromised and impartial implementation of the decisions and programmes of the Peace Implementation Council, adopted in London, 4 and 5 December 1996, in Bonn, 9-11 December 1997 and the Political Declaration of the Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council, held in Sintra, Portugal, 30^th of May 1997 , in order to stabilize the peace and speed-up the process of implementation of the civilian part of the Peace Agreement, preventing the derailing of the whole process by the internal factors of obstructions;

Aware of the massive destruction of infrastructure and production capacities, enormous human losses, hundreds of thousands of refugees and displaced persons, unprecedented destruction and devastation of cultural and religious objects, serious social problems and the consequences on the social and political life, as well as peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina; Fully aware of the considerable efforts made by the international community, including the OIC Member States in the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement, expressing deep concern over the potential of putting in jeopardy the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Reconfirming the concrete support of the OIC Member States ensured through the Peace Implementation Council and their pledges through the International Programme for Reconstruction, and bilateral assistance as well as through the OIC Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Proceeding from the spirit of the Sarajevo Declaration of the Friendship and Partnership of the Enlarged Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Bosnia and Herzegovina, held in Sarajevo on the 10^th of April 1996, and the decision of the 24th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Jakarta from 9 to 13 December 1996, to renew and adopt the action programme,

Providing further bilateral assistance directly, through the OIC Assistance Mobilization Group for Bosnia and Herzegovina , OIC institutions and the NGOs financially or in kind for the urgent needs of displaced persons , returnees and socially vulnerable groups (demobilized soldiers, families of killed soldiers, orphans, wounded and disabled persons , and retired persons);

Providing further financial inputs for the Social Fund, Fund for shaheeds families and invalids and other institutions and for all vulnerable social groups on regional and local levels;

Providing assistance for the projects aimed at rehabilitating housing and basic infrastructure for displaced persons particularly the returnees in the "Year of Return - 1998".

Creating political and legal framework for cooperation with the state institutions, economic , research institutions and financial and private sectors (diplomatic relations , mutual agreements and contracts on economic , technological and technical cooperation , etc.);

Establishing joint financial institutions like banks, consortia and guaranty agencies for the revival of production capacities, either on the basis of grants, participation on economic basis , or in a combined way, particularly for the small and medium sized enterprises in order to promote the creation of new jobs;

Encouraging the business community to participate in the OIC joint ventures or equity operations being opened by the privatisation process in Bosnia and Herzegovina or in the third countries , including the OIC countries;

Participating in the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to provide guarantee for the investors in Bosnia and Herzegovina from the OIC member states;

Facilitating the issuance of bank guaranties for firms from Bosnia and Herzegovina operating abroad, particularly in the OIC countries , thus contributing to the repayment capacities of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Assisting the relevant authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the area of demining aiming at creating the conditions for reconstruction activities and saving the lives of people.

Implementing effectively and urgently operative paragraphs of Resolution No. 19/7-C (IS) of the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference held in Casablanca from 13 to 15 December 1994 , particularly:

Implementing the recommendations of the 19^th Session of the Islamic Commission for Economic, Cultural and Social Affairs, calling for every economic support and assistance to ensure the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Bosnia and Herzegovina and particularly :

Supporting continuously the legal action of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina against Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) for genocide in the International Court of Justice;

Keeping assets and properties of the former Yugoslavia frozen until the legal procedure on liquidating or distributing them is resolved;

Supporting of the actions to search for missing persons, identifying killed persons in mass graves;

Supporting the legal authorities of the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina in pursuing persons responsible for war crimes and perpetrators of genocide crimes.

Continue participating effectively in the "Train and Equip Programme" of the Federation Army;

Cooperating with the research institutions and production units of Bosnia and Herzegovina aiming at strengthening its self-defense capability.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Reaffirming the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of Islamic Conference which emphasize the common goals and destiny of the peoples of the Islamic Ummah;

Emphasizing the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and recalling the UN resolutions relevant to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute which remain unimplemented;

Recalling that the Simla Agreement signed between the Governments of India and Pakistan calls for a final settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue;

Reaffirming the importance of the universal realization of the right of peoples to self-determination enshrined in the Charters of the OIC and the United Nations;

Recalling the Special Declarations on Jammu and Kashmir adopted by the Seventh Session of the Islamic Summit Conference and the Extraordinary Session of the Islamic Summit held in Casablanca and Islamabad in 1994, 1997 and 1998 respectively as well as all relevant paragraphs of the Tehran Declaration of the 8th Session of the Islamic Summit of December, 1997 and all previous OIC resolutions on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute;

Expressing concern at the alarming increase in the indiscriminate use of force and gross violations of human rights committed against innocent Kashmiris;

Recalling the Report of the OIC Fact Finding Mission on the situation in Kashmir following its visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir in February 1993, and regretting that the human rights situation in Indian held Jammu and Kashmir remains grave;

Deeply concerned over the tensions along the line of control in Kashmir which have now become potentially more dangerous following the nuclearisation of South Asia;

Regretting also that the Government of India has not responded favourably so far to the offer of the Good Offices Mission made by the Twentieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and renewed by the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Sessions of the Islamic Summit Conference;

Further regretting that the OIC Fact Finding Mission was not allowed to visit Indian held Jammu and Kashmir;

Noting the report of the Ministerial Meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and endorsing the recommendations contained therein;

Taking note of the strong condemnation by Pakistan and the True Representatives of the Kashmiri people, including the leadership of the All Parties Hurrieyet Conference of the deplorable act of hostage taking by "Al-Faran" and calling for the immediate and safe release of all the hostages;

Taking note of the Memorandum submitted by the True Representatives of Jammu and Kashmir;

Encouraging and supporting the dialogue between Pakistan and India aimed at resolving all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir,

1. Takes note of the Report of the Secretary General on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute and endorses the recommendations contained therein ( Document No. ICFM/26-99/PIL/D. 2).

2. Calls for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir issue in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions and as agreed upon in the Simla Agreement.

3. Condemns the continuing massive violations of human rights of the Kashmiri people and calls for the respect of their human rights including the right of self-determination.

4. Calls upon Member states to take all necessary steps to persuade India to cease forthwith the gross and systematic human rights violations of the Kashmiri people and to enable them to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination as mandated by the relevant resolutions of the Security Council.

5. Affirms that any political process/elections held under foreign occupation cannot be a substitute to the exercise of the right of self-determination by people of Kashmir as provided in the relevant Security Council Resolutions.

6. Calls upon India to allow International Human Rights Groups and Humanitarian Organizations to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

7. Supports the initiative of the Government of Pakistan to engage India in a serious, substantive and meaningful dialogue for resolving all outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir and encourages India to reciprocate positively.

8. Affirms that a sustained dialogue is essential to address the core of the problems and to remove the basic causes of tension between India and Pakistan.

9. Expresses its deep concern at the prevailing tension that threatens security and peace in the region as a result of the large scale deployment of Indian troops in the Indian held Jammu and Kashmir.

10. Calls upon India and Pakistan to redeploy their forces to peace-time locations.

11. Appeals to the Member States, OIC and other Islamic Institutions, such as the Islamic Solidarity Fund, and philanthropists to mobilize funds and contribute generously towards providing humanitarian assistance to the Kashmiri people.

12. Requests the Government of India, in the interest of regional peace and security, to avail itself of the offer of Good Offices made by the Twentieth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers and the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Sessions of the Islamic Summit Conference.

13. Requests the Secretary General to establish contact with the governments of India and Pakistan and the true representatives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir with a view to promoting a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

14. Appreciates the efforts made by the Secretary General for enabling the true representatives of the Kashmiri people to have their views expressed in OIC and other international fora, and requests him to continue to take all necessary steps in this regard.

15. Requests the Secretary General appoint a Special Representative on Jammu and Kashmir and to send a three member OIC Fact Finding Mission to visit Jammu and Kashmir as decided by the OIC Annual Coordination Meeting of the Foreign Ministers ( New York 1988 ), Twentieth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Sessions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers as well as the Seventh Extra-ordinary sessions and the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, and to submit a report to him.

16. Requests the Government of India to allow the OIC Fact-Finding Mission to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

17. Recommends that Member States continue to coordinate their positions and to take action at the UN General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights and other relevant international fora to promote respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

18. Commends the efforts being made by the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir and mandates the Group to meet regularly along side the session of the UN General Assembly, the UN Commission on Human Rights: Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to master the support of the international community for safeguarding the fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.

19. Requests the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir to continue its efforts for promoting the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people in accordance with the UN Resolutions and for safeguarding their fundamental human rights.

20. Decides to consider the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute at the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

21. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to present reports thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Guided by the principles and purposes of the UN as well as OIC Charter;

Recalling the OIC Summit and ministerial Resolutions on the security and Solidarity of Islamic States which affirm that the security of each Muslim country is the concern of all Islamic countries;

Recalling also the relevant OIC declarations and resolutions expressing solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and support for the just struggle of Kashmiri people for their fundamental human rights including the right of self-determination;

Expressing grave concern over the serious escalation caused by the heavy Indian artillery shelling and air strikes across the line of control resulting in loss of civilian life;

Welcoming the Government of Pakistan’s diplomatic initiative for defusing the situation;

1. Expresses deep concern over the dangerous escalation along the line of control caused by massive military build-up, and urges both sides to exercise restraint and resume dialogue to defuse the tension in the spirit of Lahore Declaration.

2. Condemns the loss of civilian life and property resulting from these escalations.

3. Reaffirms its support for the Kashmiri peoples right of self-determination.

4. Calls upon the international community including the United Nations to pay an urgent attention to the escalating situation in Jammu and Kashmir and to mediate for restraint and peace.

5. Affirms complete solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity.

6. Request the Secretary General and the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir to remain seized of the developments of the situation.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and resolutions of the Islamic Conferences, which emphasize the common goals and destiny of the peoples of the Islamic Ummah;

Reaffirming anew the right of all peoples to decide the form of government they wish to have and to choose their own political, economic and social systems, free from all forms of foreign intervention, coercion or pressure;

Recalling the principled stand adopted by the Islamic Conference in its resolutions on Afghanistan since January 1980;

Reiterating its commitment to the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan and to the safeguarding of the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of this country;

Recalling all relevant U.N. resolutions on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and stability;

Recalling the Afghan Peace Accord signed in Islamabad and ratified at Makkah Al-Mukarramah on 18 Ramadan, 1413H (11 March 1993) as well as in Tehran;

Noting with serious concern that the Afghan parties have not been able, so far, to evolve a national consensus as a consequence of which the political crisis has deepened and the armed conflict has continued;

Seriously concerned over the tragic humanitarian dimensions of this conflict which has caused immense loss of life, wide spread destruction, human rights violation, discrimination against women, deprivation and famine in various parts of Afghanistan as well as large scale exodus of refugees and displacement of population within Afghanistan;

Reaffirming the need for scrupulous respect for the principle of non-intervention and non-interference in Afghanistan; and stressing that the main responsibility for finding a political solution to the conflict lies with the Afghan people themselves;

Expressing concern over the steady rise in the cultivation, production and trafficking of illicit drugs in Afghanistan;

Underlining the importance of providing humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan and the urgent need to take international actions in this regard,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary General on the situation in Afghanistan .(ICFM/26-99/PIL/D.3).

2. Expresses its deep concern over the ongoing hostilities between the Afghan parties and demands all parties to the conflict to stop fighting and resume negoitiations without delay and preconditions under OIC and UN auspices and cooperate with the aim of creating a broad-based multi-ethnic representative government.

3. Strongly condemns the breaking into the diplomatic premises of the Islamic Republic of Iran and murdering of Iranian diplomats and journalists in Mazar-e-Sharif, expressing sympathy with the families of the deceased and states that these acts constitutes flagrant violation of the international law and in this connection appreciates any efforts to ensure that the criminals are brought to justice.

4. Reaffirms that there is no military solution to the Afghan crisis and calls upon the Afghan parties to renounce and refrain from the use of force and resort anew to dialogue and understanding in order to achieve a solution acceptable to all parties.

5. Also calls upon Afghan parties for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire and support for all the efforts being made in this regard.

6. Emphasizes the need for promoting national reconciliation and rapprochement through immediate cessation of hostilities and resumption of negotiations.

7 Expresses its appreciation and support for the initiatives taken by the Secretary General to promote a credible intra-Afghan peace process.

8. Calls upon the Afghan parties to extend their full cooperation to the ongoing efforts of the Secretary General and his Special Representative for promoting peace in Afghanistan.

9. Also calls upon all States immediately to end the supply of arms and ammunition to all parties to the conflict in Afghanistan.

10. Reaffirms the decisions of Islamic Summit and Foreign Ministers Conferences that the OIC should have an active role in the solution of the Afghan problem.

11. Calls for full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence and Islamic character of Afghanistan and non-interference in its internal affairs.

12. Emphasizes the need for continued coordination of efforts between OIC and UN for promoting a peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan by setting a credible intra-Afghan mechanism.

13. Expresses its appreciation for the continuing efforts of the United Nations to draw the attention of the international community to the deteriorating economic and political conditions of Afghanistan, and for promoting peace and mobilizing assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction in this connection and encourages the continuing cooperation between the OIC and the UN Special Mission.

14. Welcomes all the efforts made by various international organizations, particularly the UNHCR, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent of the Islamic countries in providing humanitarian assistance to the war victims inside Afghanistan under most difficult circumstances.

15. Requests the Islamic Development Bank to prepare a report on requirements for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the country, when stability is restored in preparation for re-establishing its infrastructure.

16. Appeals to the international community, in particular Member States, to respond to the humanitarian exigencies of the situation in Afghanistan by extending generous assistance.

17. Emphasizes the urgent need for the establishment of a fund for assisting the Afghan People under the auspices of the OIC.

18. Calls for effective measures by all Afghans, especially farmers, to eliminate the production and exportation of illicit drugs and to desist from cultivating them and appeals to the international community to support crop substitution programmes.

19. Urges Member States and Islamic financial institutions to provide assistance for the Afghan refugees in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran and calls for speedy and voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees to their country and their rehabilitation.

20. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and to submit report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

Recalling all relevant resolutions of the Islamic Conferences of Foreign Ministers and resolutions adopted by the Sixth , Seventh and Eighth Sessions of the Islamic Summit Conference on the situation in Somalia;

Gravely concerned about the destruction of Somalia as a result of the civil war which caused immense suffering to its people and has serious implications for the national unity, territorial integrity and political independence of this Islamic country;

Commending the timely initiative of His Excellency Abdou Diouf, President of the Republic of Senegal and Chairman of the Sixth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference in proposing to the 47th Session of the UN General Assembly convene an International Conference for Peace and National Reconciliation in Somalia;

Appreciating the initiative of H.E. Ali Abdullah Saleh, President of the Republic of Yemen by inviting the Somali factions to hold a Somali national reconciliation conference in Sana’a;

Noting with satisfaction the intensive efforts made by the Organization of Islamic Conference to promote peace and national reconciliation in Somalia, in cooperation with the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Organization of African Unity, in the framework of joint approach, which has produced positive results;

Taking Note of all relevant Security Council Resolutions on Somalia;

Noting also the signing, in March 1993, of the Addis Ababa Agreement for Peace and National Reconciliation in Somalia as well as the positive results of the consultations held between the Somali factions in Kenya, Egypt, Ethiopia and Yemen;

Commending the tremendous efforts made by the international community in providing relief and humanitarian assistance to the victims of war and famine in Somalia through effective and coordinated efforts under the framework of the Security Council;

Encouraging the ongoing efforts of the regional States and the Organization of African Unity for consolidating peace in Somalia;

Having followed with interest the meetings which took place in Cairo of the different Somali parties and factions

Having considered the Report of the Secretary General on the situation in Somalia (Document No.ICFM/25-98/PIL/D.4),

1. Reaffirms its commitment to the restoration and preservation of the unity, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of Somalia.

2. Notes with appreciation the constant efforts made by the Organization of Islamic Conference to promote peace and national reconciliation in Somalia, as well as for the alleviation of the suffering of the Somali people in cooperation with the regional States, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Organization of African Unity, in the framework of a joint approach and requests the Secretary General to send the Contact Group to urge the various Somali parties to resume their dialogue with a view to achieving national reconciliation.

3. Calls for the convening of an international conference on peace and national reconciliation on Somalia in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the UN General Assembly with the participation of all Somali factions and civil society and the international and regional organizations concerned.

4. Welcomes the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement for the establishment of peace and national reconciliation in Somalia.

5. Expresses its gratitude to H.E. Mohammad Hosni Mubarak, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, for the initiative he had taken in inviting all the Somali factions to meet in Cairo and for the ensuing Agreement on Comprehensive National Reconciliation.

6. Makes an urgent appeal to all Somali factions to scrupulously implement the agreements signed in Cairo in December 1998 under the auspices of the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt and to complete their reconciliation efforts and implement the agreements they have reached in this context towards setting up state authorities with a view to restoring peace and security in Somalia.

7. Calls on the Member States to support positive development resulting from the good offices of the Arab Republic of Egypt and urgently extend the necessary material assistance for reopening schools so as to encourage the enrolment of young people therein; to consider the establishment of a unified security force in Somalia as well as to assist in the reopening of the Mogadishu International Airport.

8. Expresses its appreciation of the initiative taken by H.E. President Ali Abdullah Saleh of the Republic of Yemen in calling for a Somali National Reconciliation Conference to be held in Sana’a;

9. Calls on all Somali factions to positively respond to the invitation extended by the Republic of Yemen and affirms the necessity for their effective participation in the national reconciliation conference in Sana’a in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood so as to achieve peace and preserve the unity, territorial integrity and independence of Somalia.

10. Decides to extend its full support to the ongoing efforts of the regional States, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the United Nations, the League of Arab States and the Organization of African Unity.

11. Expresses its appreciation to the Member States which have provided relief and humanitarian assistance to the Somali people and urges them to continue this action.

12. Appeals to the international community, in general, the OIC Member States in particular, and the regional humanitarian organisations and institutions, both governmental and non-governmental, as well as the IDB and the ISF, to shoulder their humanitarian and solidarity obligations and extend financial assistance and in kind to the Republic of Yemen, in order to help it overcome the economic and social impacts resulting from continuous flows of thousands of refugees, also to help improve the conditions of sheltering them, and provide the necessary capabilities for their safe return to their homes.

13. Calls upon the international community, especially the Member States, to assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Somalia by continuing to provide urgent humanitarian assistance such as food and medicine in order to enable Somalia to rebuild the institutions and the educational infrastructures and offer scholarships at the university level in the universities of Member States.

14. Calls upon all states, in particular the neighbouring states, to cooperate in the implementation of the arms embargo established by Security Council Resolution 733 (1992) and also calls upon all Somali factions to enter into negotiations for a constructive dialogue for a peaceful settlement of the problem.

15. Requests the Secretary General to follow up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Having taken cognizance of the report submitted by the Secretary General on the consequences of Iraqi aggression against the State of Kuwait and the necessity for Iraq to implement all the relevant Security Council Resolutions (Document No.ICFM/26-99/PIL/D.5);

Considering the principles and objectives of the OIC Charter which call for strengthening Islamic solidarity among Member States;

Taking note of recent developments in the situation between Iraq and Kuwait;

Mindful of the fundamental interests of the Islamic Ummah and of Islamic solidarity;

1. Calls upon Iraq to pursue efforts towards the complete fulfillment of its obligations under the relevant Security Council resolutions, for the establishment of security, peace and stability in the region.

2. Calls on Iraq to cooperate fully and seriously with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Tripartite Committee in Geneva which was established under its engagements pursuant to Para 2C and Para 3C of resolution No. 686 (1991) and (30) of resolution No. 687 (1991) pertaining to urgent release of prisoners and hostages from among Kuwaiti military troops and civilians and any others so as to put an end to this situation and Para 15 (d) which relates to return of Kuwaiti properties by Iraq.

3. Affirms that Iraq, in accepting resolution 686 (1991) and resolution 687 (1991) is deemed accountable for implementing Para 2-B of resolution 686 and Para 16 of resolution 687 which involve the responsibility of Iraq under the relevant Security Council resolutions for reparations in respect of any direct loss or direct harm, including any offendant environmental damages, depletion of natural resources or any losses sustained by foreign governments, their nationals or their companies.

4. Affirms Security Council resolution 949 which calls on Iraq not to use again its military or any other forces in an aggressive or provocative manner to threaten its neighbours or the U.N. operations in Iraq.

5. Expresses concern over the current deadlock of the UN mission on eliminating weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, and calls on Iraq to resume cooperation with the UN Security Council in its present effort to break the deadlock of Iraq’s cooperation with the United Nations, in order to preserve security and stability in the region, in accordance with relevant Security Council resolutions; and welcomes the Ministerial Committee set up by the Arab Foreign Ministers on 24 January 1999, in Cairo, aimed at exerting efforts in the context of cooperation with the United Nations.

6. Reaffirms respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of Iraq, expresses its sympathy with the people of Iraq and welcomes humanitarian initiatives and also welcomes, in this respect, extending the provisions of Security Council resolution No.986 (1995) so as to meet the humanitarian needs and to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqi people.

7. Emphasizes the necessity of Iraq’s respect for the security, territorial integrity and political independence of Kuwait, and stresses the inevitability of Iraq’s express and clear admission that the invasion and occupation of the State of Kuwait is a violation of Arab, Islamic and international conventions and legitimacy, as well as a violation of the Charter of the League of Arab States, Agreement on Joint Arab Defence, OIC Charter and UN Charter; and renews its call on Iraq to undertake the necessary steps for establishing its peaceful intentions towards the State of Kuwait and neighbouring States, in action and word, in order to realize peace and security in the region.

8. Requests the Secretary General to follow-up the implementation of this resolution and submit a report thereon to the Twenty-seventh Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers.

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The Twenty-sixth Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers (Session of Peace and Partnership for Development) held in Ouagadougou, Burkina-Faso from 15 to 18 Rabiul Awal 1420H ( 28 June - 1 July 1999),

Proceeding from the principles and objectives of the Charter of the Organization of the Islamic Conference;

Gravely concerned over the aggression by the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan which has resulted in the occupation of more than 20% of Azeri territory;

Deeply distressed over the plight of more than one million Azeri displaced persons and refugees resulting from Armenian aggression and magnitude and severity of humanitarian problems;

Reaffirming all previous relevant resolutions and, in particular, the resolution No.12/8-P (IS), adopted by the Eighth Session of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran from 9 to 11 Shaaban, 1418H (9-11 December 1997);

Conscious of the threat posed to international peace and security by the Armenian aggression;

Urging strict adherence to the Charter of the UN and full implementation of Security Council resolutions;

Welcoming all diplomatic and other efforts for the settlement of the conflict;

Reaffirming all Member States respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

Reaffirming also that acquisition of land by use of force cannot be recognized.

Noting also the destructive influence of the policy of aggression of the Republic of Armenia on the peace process in the OSCE framework;

Taking note of the Report of the Secretary General on the Aggression of the Republic of Armenian Against the Republic of Azerbaijan (Document No. ICFM/26-99/PIL/D.6 )

1. Strongly condemns the aggression of the Republic of Armenia against the Republic of Azerbaijan.

2. Considers the actions perpetrated against civilian Azeri population in occupied Azeri territory as crimes against humanity.

3. Strongly condemns looting and destruction of the archeological cultural and religious monuments on the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.

4. Strongly demands the strict implementation of the United Nations Security Council resolutions 822, 853, 874 and 884, and the immediate unconditional and complete withdrawal of Armenian forces from all occupied Azeri territories inter alia Lachin and Shusha regions and strongly urges Armenia to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

5. Expresses its concern that Armenia has not yet implemented demands contained in the UN Security Council resolutions.

6. Calls on the Security Council to recognize the existence of aggression against the Republic of Azerbaijan; take the necessary steps under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations to ensure compliance with its resolutions; condemn and reverse aggression against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Azerbaijan and decides to take coordinated action to this end at the United Nations.

7. Urges all States to refrain from providing any supplies of military arms and equipment to Armenia, which can encourage the aggressor to escalate the conflict and to continue the occupation of the Azerbaijani territories. The territory of Member States should not be used for transit of such supplies.

8. Calls upon Member States, as well as other members of the international community, to use such effective political and economic measures as required in order to put an end to Armenian aggression and to occupation of the Azerbaijani territories.

9. Calls for a just and peaceful settlement of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan on the basis of respect for the principles of territorial integrity of states and inviolability of internationally recognized frontiers.

10. Urges both Armenia and Azerbaijan and all Member States of the Minsk Group to engage constructively in the ongoing OSCE peace process on the basis of the relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council and relevant OSCE decisions and documents, including those of the First Additional Meeting of the OSCE Council of 24 March 1992, OSCE Summit of 5-6 December 1994, OSCE Summit of 2-3 December 1996, OSCE Council of Ministers Meeting of 18-19 December 1997 and refrain from any action that will make it more difficult to reach a peaceful solution.

11. Expresses its full support for the three principles of the settlement of the armed conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan contained in the statement of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office at the 1996 Lisbon OSCE Summit, namely the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Azerbaijan, highest degree of self-rule of the Nagorno-Karabakh region within Azerbaijan and guaranteed security for Nagorno-Karabakh and its whole population.

12. Considers the proposal made by the OSCE Minsk Conference Co-chairmen aimed at the staged settlement of the Armenia-Azerbaijan armed conflict as the basis for the negotiations within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group and expresses its understanding that this approach is to ensure immediate elimination of the most serious consequences of the aggres