OIC Extraordinary Meeting Proclaims Jakarta Declaration

By Azeman Ariffin JAKARTA, March 8 (Bernama) -- The 5th Extraordinary Ministerial Meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif held here was adjourned Monday with the proclamation of the Jakarta Declaration, which contains five concrete steps to support the cause of Palestine and Al-Quds Al-Sharif. The five steps are: * To urge the international community to support the boycott of Israeli products produced in the occupied Palestinian territory; * To urge the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address the issue of illegal invasion and occupation in Palestine; * To support efforts to organise an international conference to achieve concrete solutions for the two countries with a clear framework; * To increase financial assistance and capacity building of the OIC member countries and other international bodies to strengthen the Palestinian government institution; and * To form a group consisting of legal experts, aimed at providing legal advice to the Palestinian government. The two-day summit, which began on Sunday and held at the request of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, was attended by over 600 delegates from 57 OIC member countries and two international organisations. The adjournment of the extraordinary summit was announced by Indonesian President Joko Widodo. According to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry statement issued here, the presence of its Minister Anifah Aman at the summit proved the country's solidarity and support to the Palestinian government and its people. "Malaysia also stressed that OIC member countries should intensify their efforts and not to lose their direction and focus," according to the statement. The statement also said Malaysia also reaffirmed its stand in calling the international community to put pressure on Israel via legal, diplomatic and economic channels in a bid to immediately stop the illegal occupation. In conjunction with the summit, Anifah also had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Tajikistan, Gambia, Tunisia, Turkey and Iran. -- BERNAMA