OIC Press Release

Al-Quds Committee concluded its 18th Session held in Agadir, Kingdom of Morocco under the kind patronage of His Majesty King Muhammed VI, Sovereign of Morocco and Chairman of Al-Quds Committee, on Monday 27 Jumad-I, 1421H (28 August 2000).

At the outset of the deliberations, the Sovereign of Morocco delivered a speech in which he underlined the need to defend the legitimate rights of the Muslim Ummah in general and the Palestinian people in particular, in the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif so as to preserve the religious, cultural and historic character of this holy city and so that it may remn to be a symbol of tolerance and coexistence for the followers of different fths.

Having referred to the difficult negotiations conducted recently in Camp David with regard to the final status of Al-Quds, His Majesty addressed an appeal to all those interested in peace, in which he affirmed that the present generations aspire with great expectation to the establishment of an all-embracing peace in the region so that a new era based on concord, trust and joint action may commence for the purpose of bringing about a new future that allows the next generations to live in stability, security and prosperity.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat delivered a statement in which he drew attention to the critical situation in Al-Quds City. He pointed out that it requires mobilization of all energies and means to rid the holy city from occupation and to restore it to its legitimate people. Any solution relating to Al-Quds not based on international resolutions, will not be successful, affirmed the Palestinian President.

In light of the deliberations conducted by its members, the Committee reached thc following decisions:

-- The Committee affirms that the establishment of an equitable and comprehensive peace in the Middle East has been and shall continue to be one of the OIC member states steadfast major objectives, a peace based on the resolutions of international legitimacy and particularly Security Council resolution 242 and 338 as well as the land for peace principle. The Committee further calls for the need to pursue negotiations to ensure continuation of the peace process on this basis.

-- The Committee supports the efforts made in earnest to establish an equitable comprehensive peace and to ensure the return of the entirely of the occupied Syrian Golan to the line of June 4th, and hails Lebanon's victory through the liberation of its occupied southern area.

-- The Committee supports the stand of the State of Palestine firmly adhering to its sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif, including the Holy Mosque of A1-Haram Al-Sharif and all the Holy Christian and Islamic sanctuaries which constitute an integral part of the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and further affirms that Al-Quds Al-Sharif is the capital of the independent State of Palestine. In this connection, the Committee reaffirms its rejection of any attempt to diminish the Palestinian sovereignty over Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

-- The Committee reiterates the need for action to put an end to all Israeli practices and measures which conflict with the resolutions of international legitimacy and run counter to the agreements signed by the Palestinian and the Israeli parties. The Committee calls upon the Security Council to prevent these measures.

-- The Committee demands all States to uphold Security Council Resolution No. 478 (1980) calling upon them not to transfer their diplomatic missions to the City of Al-Quds; it further invites them not to admit the Israeli attempt to impose the fait accompli in the City of Al-Quds. In this connection, the Committee rejects the recommendation issued by the American House of Representatives providing for the transfer of the American Embassy to the City of Al-Quds and appeals to the American Administration not to carry through this recommendation which is contrary to the resolutions of international legitimacy.

-- The Committee calls on the States of the World to recognize the State of Palestine with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital as soon as the Palestinian State is proclmed on the Palestinian soil, and to provide all forms of assistance to the independent Palestinian State.

-- The Committee underlines the need to implement General Assembly Resolution 194 concerning the return of the Palestinian refugees to their homes and property as a fundamental component of a comprehensive and just peace.

-- The Committee welcomes the framework agreement concluded between the PLO and the Vatican on 15 February 2000 whereby all unilateral decisions or acts such as any alteration of the distinctive character and legal status of Al-Quds, are rejected both morally and legally.

-- The Committee hails the efforts made by His Majesty the late King Hassan II in establishing the Beit Mal Al-Quds Al-Sharif Agency and entrusting it with the objectives of protecting the Holy City and its Palestinian population. It also expresses its appreciation to his successor His Majesty King Mohmmed VI who has surrounded it with care and solicitude and who has generously provided it with the means to energize its activity under optimal conditions.

-- The Committee extends its appreciation to the Al-Quds Committee Member States which promptly provided donations to the Agency, thus enabling it to initiate implementation of its projects in the areas of housing, restoration and education. The Committee calls on the OIC Member States to support the Agency and to facilitate its mission in mobilizing resources and financial means for the implementation of its projects in Al-Quds Al-Sharif.

-- The Committee appealed to the public and private financial institutions, funds, banks, business people and individuals, to fulfil their duty in supporting the Agency's activities.