The Islamic Cooperation Organization (OIC) stressed the importance of the efforts the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is exerting to promote peace, security and reconciliation among the Afghan people and find a durable peace solution. Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, the Secretary General of the OIC, stressed the importance for the Government of Afghanistan to crystallize what it considers appropriate to establish sustainable peace, security and reconciliation among the segments of the Afghan people. This was part of Al-Othaimeen's statement at the meeting held at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on 11 September 2018 at the headquarters of the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, at the level of permanent representatives. The meeting is to follow up the implementation of the OIC resolutions on Afghanistan and the recommendations of the International Conference of Ulama on Peace and Security in Afghanistan. In this regard, the OIC Secretary General noted that the OIC follows with interest the efforts of H.E. Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the President of the Republic of Afghanistan, of calling upon Taliban Movement to engage in direct and unconditional peace dialogue. Al-Othaimeen indicated that this meeting comes in the wake of the International Conference of Ulama on Peace and Security in Afghanistan held by the OIC in Jeddah and Makkah last July. He thanked the Government of Saudi Arabia, led by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and HRH the Crown Prince, for hosting this important conference that reflects the attention the Saudi leadership accords to the issues of the Muslim Ummah. Al-Othaimeen added that the said conference laid the foundations for the path of reconciliation, stressing the need for everyone to engage in this political process. In this context, he urged member states to harness their political and diplomatic influence to bring all factions in Afghanistan to the table of peace negotiations.
