OIC to hold ministerial meeting on Houthi attacks on Mecca

Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation member states will hold an emergency meeting in Mecca on Thursday to discuss a missile attack by Houthi militias and allies of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh against holy sites in the Kingdom, it was reported on Monday.

The meeting follows an earlier session held on November 5 by the OIC's executive committee, during which participants called on member states and the international community to take serious and effective steps to prevent the recurrence of such attacks in the future and called for holding accountable all those who smuggle weapons, provide training and continue to support the Yemeni insurgents, pan-Arab daily Asharq-al-Awsat reported.

Last month, Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a ballistic missile some 65 km from Mecca, noting that the missile had been fired from Yemen by Houthi rebels.

The OIC executive committee reaffirmed member states' support to Riyadh in its fight against terrorism and against all those attempting to target religious holy sites. It also stressed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia in its measures aimed at preserving its security and stability.

It described the attack against Mecca as an act of offence against the feelings of Muslims around the world and a breach of international resolutions.

Thursday's ministerial meeting comes upon a recommendation by the executive committee to hold an emergency meeting of Foreign Ministers of member states in Mecca to discuss the attack and its repercussions.

--IANS

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