Contacts to convene an Islamic summit on Iraq

It was stated in the Qatari capital, Doha, that there are underway contacts among the 57 member states of the Organization of the Islamic Conference with the aim to convene a special summit on Iraq, which was called for by Qatar.

A source close to the secretariat of the Qatari Presidency of the OIC in Doha said "that Qatar had invited for the summit as soon as possible, and that the general secretariat of the OIC is debating with all member states on the best timing for convening the summit."

An official at the Qatari foreign ministry said that " Doha is ready to host the summit which was called for by the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani after consultations with leaders of several states concerned." On Wednesday, a spokesman for the Qatari foreign ministry announced that Qatar extended invitations to several leaders of the Islamic countries to convene a special Islamic summit in order to "discuss current developments and challenges" in the region.

In the same context, the Iranian TV announced that the Iranian President Muhammad Khatami asked in a telephone call with the ruler of Qatar for convening a meeting for the OIC on the Iraqi crisis.