Saudi Arabia seeks Islamic unity at Istanbul summit

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia wants to ensure a successful Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit later this week to tackle the region’s problems, and is seeking closer ties with Turkey on the economic and political front, including the fight against terrorism.
This is according to Saudi ambassador in Ankara, Adil Mirdad, who said the two countries have already been cooperating on several fronts as members of the OIC. In an interview with a local publication, Mirdad said the Kingdom wants to ensure the Islamic Summit brings Muslims together.
He said these beliefs have been the basis of the Kingdom’s actions since the country was founded by the late King Abdul Aziz. They have been upheld ever since by various rulers and now under Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, he said.
He said Saudi Arabia and Turkey share views on several issues including Palestine, Syria and Iraq.
“Our two countries want a united Iraq, and that Syria maintains full sovereignty on its land without any divisions, and without Assad who has dragged his country into a pit and displaced his people,” he said.
He said the most important issues at the OIC summit would be to resolve the many conflicts in the region, which has been the most challenging of the past 100 years. It was important for all countries to reach common ground to provide effective solutions, he said.
With regard to terrorism, he said: “The Kingdom and Turkey can both together accomplish much to support the causes of our nations. The two states enjoy great influence in the region and internationally and can find radical solutions to terrorism, especially in Syria and Iraq, and the fight against the so-called Daesh group.”
He said solutions would be based on the vision of King Salman, particularly for Syria, where support was needed for the National Coalition and opposition. “During the Islamic Summit held in Cairo in 2013 Saudi Arabia and Turkey both agreed that the Syrian regime had committed heinous crimes against the people.
“So it is imperative to unite Islamic countries and adopt this vision, and continue to place pressure on the international community and the Security Council to take the necessary action in this regard.”
Agreements would have to be based on United Nations resolutions, which should provide a transition to a new administration, and countering Iran’s attempts to interfere in the region, he said.