OIC Press Release

Mr. Raoul Rabi, Special Presidential Envoy from the President of the Philippines informed H.E. the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Dr. Abdelouahed BELKEZIZ of the content of the decision recently taken by Mrs. Maya Gloria Aouri, President of the Philippines, to halt military operations against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) based in southern Philippines, to immediately implement the ceasefire agreement signed between the Philippines Government and the MILF, and to move to enter into negotiations with officials of the MILF.

The message was announced when Dr. Abdelouahed BELKEZIZ met the Special Envoy of the President of the Philippines and the Philippines Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at his office in the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of the Islamic Conference on Monday 3 Dhul Hijja 1421 (26 February 2001). During the meeting, Mr. Raoul Rabi also conveyed to H.E. the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference President Gloria Aouri’s willingness to resume the implementation of the peace agreement with the MILF in collaboration with the Islamic Ministerial Committee of Seven charged with this dossier.

For his part, the Secretary General paid tribute to the position of the Philippines President because of the positive implications it carries for the situation of Muslims in southern Philippines. Dr. BELKEZIZ expressed the hope that the Government of the Philippines will continue to provide the appropriate assistance for the full implementation of the peace agreement during the transition phase and within a specific time framework until the establishment of the autonomous zone in southern Philippines.