Don't forget Palestine: Hassan

JAKARTA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda has said the on-going U.S. military attacks against Afghanistan should not distract attention from the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories.

Speaking at the 9th Extraordinary Session of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, Hassan said that the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian territories threatened to affect not only the region, but also have ramifications for the international community at large.

Indonesia emphasized the need for the United Nations Security Council to take all necessary measures to address the situation in line with the UN Charter and its resolutions, the Indonesian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.

Hassan also reiterated Indonesia's call for the UN to adopt a leading role in addressing international terrorism, which he said constituted a threat to international peace and security.

He also emphasized the need for cooperation among member states of the OIC in concert with the international community to eradicate the danger of international terrorism which "has neither nationality nor religion". -- JP