OIC Press Release

The Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz expressed profound satisfaction and happiness following the news of the ruling by the International Court of Justice which considered the border dispute between the sisterly States Qatar and Bahrain, bringing to an end a long-standing brotherly difference. He emphasized that the heartfelt satisfaction over this historic event will bring together the two countries and close the rift which affected their relations for some time.

In his cables to both His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar, and to His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Emir of Bahrain, the Secretary General said, "While welcoming the decision of the Court which paves the way for rapprochement, reconciliation and amicability as well as bringing together two neighbouring brotherly people, I would like to laud your sagacity, wise opinion, commitment to honour your pledge, magnanimity, aspiration for supreme matters and noble aims, by which you have realized a remarkable deed that is recorded in the annals of glory and praiseworthy actions." His Excellency went on to say, "Opting for International Law, abidance by international legitimacy and adopting the option of civilizational peaceful solution, must be considered a method to be followed when addressing other international disputes and in order to spare peoples the tragedies of armed conflicts."

In this context, Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz commended the many benevolent efforts which were deployed for the sake of reconciliation and resolving the dispute, paving the way for this result. Foremost among them are the efforts exerted by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdulaziz, may Allah preserve him.

In conclusion of the cables addressed to both His Highness the Emir of Qatar and the Emir of Bahrain, His Excellency expressed sincere felicitation to Their Highnesses for this exemplary event which will herald the advent of a new dawn of brotherly relations and sincere constructive cooperation in the Gulf region. He reiterated that this event will also cement the bonds of Islamic solidarity which we all endeavour to firmly establish.