PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia - Muslim countries attending the Organisation of the Islamic Conference slammed Israel's apparent misadventure in Lebanon and have called for the country being held responsible for breaking humanitarian law and violating human rights.
"We are strongly convinced that there should be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Israel must be held accountable for all its actions," a draft statement released during the conference said. A final statement is due for release later today.
Speaking at the conference, Iran's President M Ahmadinejad said there must be an immediate halt to attacks against Lebanon. There is restlessness among the populace of the Muslim world and they are getting restive. That is why certain select members gathered for a conference almost three weeks after Israel entered Lebanon on the pretext of getting its two soldiers released.
"Although the main cure (to the situation) is the elimination of the Zionist regime, in this stage an immediate ceasefire should be implemented," Ahmadinejad thundered. "Britain and America, as the main associates of the Zionist regime in its offensive to Lebanon, should compensate Lebanon's damages. Those governments should answer for their crimes in Lebanon."
Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said that the uncalled for action by Israel had infuriated the Muslim world. "We do not want a clash of civilizations but all over the Muslim world a very negative feeling is arising on the street," he said. "This is a massacre and this massacre must end." Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the UN must call a meeting of its Human Rights Council to decide on the issue. "We have to act as quickly as we can,'' Abdullah told reporters. "We fear that a new wave of angry people may take their own action to show how angry they are."
