Tehran hosts in April first Islamic interparliamentary conference

Parliamentary delegations from some 30 Islamic countries agreed here on Tuesday to hold the first Islamic interparliamentary conference in Tehran in April 1999.

According to Kuwaiti news agency KUNA, the decision was made Monday at the end of a two-day preparatory meeting to organize the first Islamic interparliamentary conference.

The delegations also approved the draft of the bylaws of the first Islamic interparliamentary union.

Based on the draft, the union would attempt to create a framework for comprehensive cooperation and coordination among parliaments of member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Union's budget would be provided by member countries.

The union would work with governmental and non-governmental groups in a bid to defend human rights and establish peace based on justice, the bylaws project said.

The draft allows countries that are not member states of OIC, as well as regional and international organizations to enjoy observer status at the union's sessions.