BAGHDAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iraq officially assumed the chairmanship of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as its 52nd session opened in Baghdad on Saturday.
The meeting, under the theme "Dialogue and Solidarity: Two Fundamental Pillars for Promoting Peace and Sustainable Development," brought together official delegations from OIC member states and guests of honor, including UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, according to a statement from Iraq's Foreign Ministry.
The session is set to address a range of issues of common interest, most notably the Palestinian cause and developments in the Gaza Strip, as well as broader regional and international affairs, said the statement.
"We reaffirm Iraq's principled position that the Palestinian cause lies at the core of the conflict in the region, and that ensuring justice for the Palestinian people and guaranteeing their rights are fundamental to regional security and stability," Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said in his opening address, according to a separate statement released by his media office.
Noting that cooperation and acceptance of differences are key to mutual understanding, reducing disagreements, and maintaining the unity of the Islamic nation, al-Zaidi also called on OIC member states to exert greater efforts to achieve stability and peace in the region. ■
