Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha has reiterated the need to intensify individual and joint efforts at this critical stage to mobilize the international community’s responsibility towards stopping the crimes of genocide, settlement and organized terrorism practiced by the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.

He also called for preventing the Israeli occupation from expanding the war cycle and destabilizing the region, as well as supporting efforts to implement the General Assembly resolution on the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the illegality of the Israeli occupation and accelerating the materialization of the two-state solution.

During the meeting, foreign ministers delivered statements and discussed the draft resolution that will be submitted to the upcoming summit tomorrow for adoption.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain led the Bangladesh delegation at the “Preparatory Meeting of Foreign Ministers for the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic” Summit held in Riyadh on Sunday.

Foreign Ministers and senior officials from all the OIC member states participated at the Ministerial session.

Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia delivered the opening remarks.

Secretary Generals of the Organization of Islamic States and League of Arab States, Prime Minister, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the state of Palestine and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Lebanese Republic also spoke at the opening session.

The Foreign Ministers of the OIC member states strongly condemned the atrocities and called for combined efforts to establish peace by implementing the two-state solution following the pre-1967 borders.

The Ministerial session, after examination of the ongoing Israeli aggression in Palestine and Lebanon, its repercussions on the region and highlighting the actions to be taken in response, submitted a draft resolution to the Extraordinary Arab and Islamic Summit being held today.

Adviser Hossain also visited the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh and exchanged views with the Officials.

In his address, the Secretary-General expressed the Organization’s deep appreciation and gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for inviting and hosting this summit and for its pioneering role in supporting the Palestinian people and their just cause.

He emphasized the importance of holding this summit in light of the continuing and escalating grave challenges and tragedies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially the Gaza Strip, as well as the Lebanese territories as a result of the continued crimes of aggression, blockade, settlement, destruction and displacement committed by the Israeli occupation in flagrant violation of international law and United Nations resolutions, and contempt for human values and principles.

He also warned of the grave consequences of the Israeli occupation’s measures against UNRWA, emphasizing the vital role of this UN agency in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees, and as a witness to the international community’s permanent commitment and responsibility towards their cause, and a pillar of regional peace and stability.