OIC Press Release

H.E. Dr. Abdelouahed BELKEZIZ, Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, has expressed his welcome to the initiative of H.R.H. Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Commander of the National Guard of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz, an initiative geared towards the achievement of a comprehensive peace in the Middle-East. He expressed the view that the Prince’s initiative has ample chances of success, particularly after the international and regional support it has met with.

The Secretary General asserted that the initiative in question is in tune with the steadfast positions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that are derived from the principles of Islam and firmly rooted in the Kingdom’s publicly declared stands in support of the legitimate cause and rights of the Palestinian people, and falls within the framework of the peace approach adopted by the OIC Member States through their various Islamic Conferences. This initiative has the additional merit of being clear-cut, comprehensive, integrated and implementable, as it lays the foundations for a comprehensive settlement in the region.

Dr. Belkeziz further stated that this initiative casts a beam of light in the obscure tunnel through which developments in the Middle-East region are going and gives hope for the establishment of peace in the region.

His Excellency expressed the view that the important opportunity afforded by this initiative calls for diligent action to ensure its success. He pointed out that in this connection, the key role, lies in the hands of the United States of America which needs to throw in its weight for the achievement of the initiative’s objectives.

The Secretary General further added that it is incumbent upon Israel to rise to the occasion and respond to this initiative without obfuscation, particularly as this initiative has earned the support of the Islamic States and as the Arabs, on their part, have made it plain to the world that they are earnest in their endeavours in favour of the achievement of peace. It is incumbent on Israel, he noted, to declare its acceptance of this initiative and its readiness to carry it through, so that the region may regain its quietude and stability and so that peace may once again prevail in the Land of Peace.