OIC Press Release

The Meeting of Senior Officials Preparatory to the 27th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, beginning its proceedings on Saturday 23 Safar 1421H in Jeddah, has addressed a congratulatory message to His Excellency Emile Lahoud, President of the Republic of Lebanon on the occasion of the liberation of Lebanese territory, the defeat of the Israeli occupation forces and the disintegration of the enemy-backed militias after two decades of Lebanese steadfastness and resistance. Following is the text of the message:

H.E. General Emile Lahoud,

President of the Republic of Lebanon

Beirut

The Meeting of Senior Officials Preparatory to the 27th Session of the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers opening its proceedings today in Jeddah, has the pleasure to address sincere congratulations on the occasion of the liberation of Lebanese territory, the defeat and ignominious withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces and the disintegration of the enemy-backed militias after two decades of Lebanese steadfastness, heroism and resistance.

Indeed the defeat of the Israeli occupation in Lebanon, shall be God willing a prelude to its defeat in all other Arab territories still under occupation: Shabaa plantation, the West Bank, Al-Quds Al-Sharif, Gaza Strip and Syrian Goalan.

The Meeting of Senior Officials shares with proud Lebanon its joy for liberating its territory and strongly hopes that the international legitimacy and the Lebanese government would confirm as soon as possible that this Israeli withdrawal is total in accordance with the resolutions of the international legitimacy to the internationally-recognized borders.

The OIC Member States reiterate the necessity for the international community to assume its responsibility for compelling Israel to pay the necessary compensations to the Lebanese government for the destruction, sabotage and losses in lives and property perpetrated by Israel during its occupation of Lebanese territory. The OIC Member States confirm their readiness to share in the reconstruction of Lebanon.

We express strong hope that we will soon celebrate the liberation of all the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and the restoration of the Palestinian people of their inalienable national rights, including their right to return, to self-determination and to establish their independent state on their national soil with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

Chairman of Meeting

Ambassador Dato Fuzi Haji Abdul-Razzaq