UN chief hails OIC

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan hailed yesterday the Organization of the Islamic Conference. In a statement delivered by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Ibrahima Fall to the foreign ministers of the OIC states in New York yesterday, Annan described the OIC as "a vital partner for the United Nations throughout the Islamic world, and beyond."

He added, "The world can no longer stand aside when gross and systematic violations of human rights take place, it must act effectively and legitimately to halt such violations. The OIC has a vital role to play in helping us achieve this aim -- through early warning, preventive diplomacy and action," citing problems in Afghanistan, the Balkans, Comoros and Sudan.

He also said, "We can be very pleased that our joint efforts resulted in the handing over of the suspects in the Lockerbie bombing case and the suspension of the sanctions on Libya."