Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani has welcomed the decision by the Belgian parliament to recognize the State of Palestine. He described it as an important move that would contribute to peace and stability in the region. The Secretary General also said that the decision constitutes a support for the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people including the establishment of sovereignty of their independent state on the 1967 borders with Al-Quds as its capital. The Secretary General expressed his hope that the Belgian government would take the initiative to recognize the State of Palestine in accordance with the United Nations General Assembly resolution of 29 February 2012.