KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17: Malaysia said on Saturday that the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) was in danger of becoming irrelevant and needed to re-examine its international role.

“The OIC has to take a hard look at itself,” said Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar at the end of a two-day conference on terrorism here.

The US-led attacks on Afghanistan in pursuit of Osama bin Laden meant “Muslims, Islam, and a Muslim nation have become victims,” he said.

“If the OIC cannot play a role, the question will arise, why the need for the OIC,” he said.

The OIC’s appeal to the US to stop the bombings had been “very weak,” he charged and added “we must be cohesive.”

He said the 57-strong body should reevaluate its role in international affairs to remain relevant.

Asked if Malaysia would participate in a UN-led peacekeeping mission to Afghanistan, he said Kuala Lumpur would make a decision if it received any such request.

He also had sharp words for the United Nations, saying it had to remain free of the influences of any particular country.

“The UN must play a leading role (in the fight against terrorism) and its stance must not be dictated by any one country,” he said.

Syed Hamid renewed Malaysia’s call to halt the US-led air strikes on Afghanistan saying the Taliban regime had now collapsed and it was time to look to the future.—AFP