15 May 2004	Saturday	24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

JEDDAH, May 14: Senior officials from the Muslim countries have condemned the barbaric and inhuman abuse of Iraqi detainees by the US forces.

A meeting of senior officials of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), which concluded here, has said that the abuse was a flagrant violation of the Geneva Conventions, and demanded trial of those who were responsible for the crimes under the international law.

While expressing solidarity with Syria, the meeting urged the United States to lift economic sanctions imposed against the country.

The meeting was held on May 9-12 to prepare the agenda of the 31st session of OIC foreign ministers scheduled to hold in Istanbul, Turkey on June 14-16.

The officials discussed major decisions and recommendations likely to be adopted by the ministerial meeting. -APP