Burkina Faso opens OIC conference

President Blaise Campaore of Burkina Faso on Monday opened in his country's capital the annual meeting of the foreign ministers of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The meeting, which will last for five days, is being held under the slogan "Peace and partnership for the sake of development." It is in preparation for the summit meeting of the OIC member states, which will be held in Qatar in the year 2000.

The OIC includes 55 members. Some 26 African states are members of the OIC, which was established 30 years ago in Rabat.