Islamic nations tell US to leave Iraq

Representatives of Muslim nations meeting last weekend in 
Malaysia have demanded "eviction of all foreign forces from 
Iraq". Only Turkey defended plans to deploy its troops alongside 
the US-led alliance.

The Secretary-General of the 57-member Organisation of the 
Islamic Conference (OIC), Belkeziz said occupying forces should 
quickly withdraw from Iraq to give the United Nations a chance to 
reconstruct the country.

Up to 35 heads of state are expected to attend in what will be 
the largest gathering of Muslim leaders since before al Qaeda's 
attack on the United States on September 11, 2001.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan is also scheduled to attend, 
along with non-members Russian President Vladimir Putin and 
Philippines President Gloria Arroyo, whose countries both have 
large Muslim minorities.

A delegation from the Iraqi Governing Council which opposes 
Washington's use of Turkish troops, is expected at the summit.

Belkeziz said of all the conflicts involving Muslims, the 
occupation of Iraq and the Palestinian problem needed to be 
addressed most urgently.

"Foremost of these is the eviction of foreign forces from Iraq, 
allowing the United Nations to administer Iraqi affairs," 
Belkeziz said in his opening address.

"In Palestine, the situation continues to worsen day after day in 
the face of the Israeli government's obduracy to fulfil the 
obligations demanded of it by the road map", he said.

Belkeziz said the eight-day meeting, which ends when leaders 
depart on October 18, should also discuss major challenges to 
Muslims arising from terrorism and globalisation and "campaigns 
against Islam, Muslims and human rights."

Other conflicts that the summit will touch upon include the 
situations in Afghanistan, Kashmir, Azerbaijan, the Philippines 
and Somalia.