OIC decides to open bureaus in Syria and Lebanon to carry out relief efforts

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) decided on Tuesday to open bureaus in Syria and Lebanon to carry out relief efforts effectively, Turkey's semi- official Anatolia news agency reported.

The decision was made during the meeting convened by the OIC meember countries and several humanitarian aid organizations in Istanbal, the largest city of Turkey, in an effort to assist Lebanon and Palestine.

A statement released by the meeting said that bank accounts will be opened in the Islam countries to collect donations for Lebanon and Palestine.

On the other hand, a board was set up to coordinate relief efforts and the board is composed of the Deniz Feneri Association of Turkey, the Mercy Malaysia and the International Islamic Charitable Organization of Kuwait.

Meawhile, Human Rights Inquiry Commission of Turkish Parliament will hold an extraordinary meeting on Aug. 3 upon Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

In this coming meeting, commission members will discuss the recent situation in Lebanon and the Middle East and a delegation will be sent to Lebanon, in order to issue a declaration which will condemn the attacks on the country.

Over 600 Lebanese and some 50 Israelis have been killed in the 21 days of the conflict, which erupted on July 12 following the capture of two Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas during cross-border attacks.

In an other front, Israel has pressed ahead a massive air and ground offensive in the Gaza Strip in a bid to free another Israeli soldier abducted by Palestinian militants on June 25, with about 160 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds of others wounded.

Source: Xinhua