AlQa'dah 22, 1433, Oct 8, 2012, SPA -- The Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu paid a visit today to Somalia where he met with President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud and discussed with him ways to support Somalia at the political and development fronts. President Mahmoud expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the role played by the OIC in the period preceding the current transitional phase, in addition to its efforts to support the current democratic process in the country, as well as humanitarian efforts initiated by the Organization since the worst famine in the history of Somalia from August 2011 and until now. For his part, the OIC Secretary General emphasized the need to raise the effective participation of Somalia in the Organization's activities, particularly under the new leadership of the country. In turn, the President expressed his support. The OIC Secretary General invited the Somali President to participate in the 13th OIC Islamic Summit, which is expected to be held in the Republic of Egypt early next year. In the meantime, Ihsanoglu met with the Speaker of the Somali Parliament, Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari. The two sides discussed enhancing and expanding the democratic process in Somalia, including completion of the Constitution. Jawari called on the OIC to join in supporting democracy in his country, and in particular to contribute with its Islamic perspective. On the other hand, Ihsanoglu met with the Somali new Prime Minister, Abdi Farah Shirdon Saaid and congratulated him on his assumption of Office, stressing the Organization's wish to support Somalia to promote and restore stability and security necessary for the prosperity of the country. --More
