Local Editor

Iran’s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has criticized the suspension of Syria from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation [OIC] as "unfair."

In a closing statement released early Thursday at the end of an OIC summit in Mecca, the organization announced the suspension of Syria’s membership.

Salehi said on Thursday that Iran expressed its opposition to the move in the meeting, and added that Syria’s suspension from the OIC was against the charter of the organization.
"The Syrian government should have been invited to the meeting prior to this decision so that it could defend itself and the attendees could listen to the Syrian government’s official views."
Salehi made the remarks in the airport of Mecca, upon his departure to Tehran.

The minister reiterated that Syrian officials should have been given a chance to make a statement, before making a decision on suspending it.
Salehi went on to say that the unfulfilled invitation of Syria to the Mecca summit could have also provided an opportunity, with the participation of Syria, to discuss, the conflict between the Syrian government and the opposition as well as a solution to the ongoing crisis.

The move to suspend Syria had been approved on Monday at a preliminary meeting of the OIC foreign ministers.
Syria has been the scene of unrest since mid-March, 2011 and many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed in the violence.
Salehi also said that the meeting discussed the Palestinian issue and "Israel’s" aggression as well as the situation of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.

Source: News agencies, Edited by moqawama.org