KL wants top OIC job, but not for PM

KL wants top OIC job, but not for PM

MALAYSIA: Malaysia said on Thursday it would propose a candidate to become secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), but it would not be Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who retires on Oct. 31.

The OIC post falls vacant next year when Abdelouahed Belkeziz steps down, and speculation has rumbled on -- despite Mahathir's own denial of any interest in the role -- that the government would push him for the job.

Foreign minister Syed Hamid Albar said the Malaysian candidate would be an "experienced and qualified" person, but added firmly that there was no chance of it being a former prime minister, Bernama news agency reported.

Malaysia takes over the chair of the 57-member grouping of Muslim nations this month, when it hosts the OIC summit at the new administrative capital of Putrajaya, some 35 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur.

Iraq, Syria and the Palestinian problem loom over the OIC agenda, in what will be the organization's first summit since the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States in 2001.

The summit begins with senior officials on Saturday, with leaders to meet from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18. United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan is scheduled to attend, along with up to 30 heads of state. -- Reuters