The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) considers sending a peacekeeping force, led by the Muslim body or the United Nations, to Iraq, Xinhua news agency reported.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the news at a press conference on the sideline of the World Economic Forum on West Asia in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Badawi said that structure of the proposed force may be similar to the one that played a crucial role in ending the war in Bosnia- Herzegovina.
The international community believes that the continued presence of Western forces in Iraq would deteriorate security conditions and worsen the humanitarian situation there, the Malaysian prime minister said, stressing that an alternative is badly needed to restore peace to the war-torn country.
Badawi also said that Malaysia-chaired OIC will first bring all stakeholders in Iraq, including the occupying powers, to the negotiating table.
His comments came days after the OIC held its first advisory meeting in Istanbul to discuss changes in the OIC Charter.
The Secretary General of the OIC, Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, said the new changes may include human rights, good governance, democracy and economics as well as efforts to alleviate disease and poverty.
For his part, Dr Mahathir Bin Muhammad, who chaired the meeting, said the OIC must update its structure in order to meet current challenges.
"We have to take care of ourselves and show the world that we are capable of having strong governments, and good leadership. This would give us credibility and respect,” he said.
“We have to create a greater role for the Muslim Ummah in the world by making OIC effective”, he added.
This sounds like an excellent idea. But I don't think it'll happen anytime soon, mostly for political reasons. Besides these Muslim peace keepers would come under attack from the 'resistance' just like the Muslims in the Iraqi army are under attack.
Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
When you create an account, we remember exactly what you've read, so you always come right back where you left off. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and share your thoughts. Sign Up
Hide
Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks