ISLAMABAD, May 17: Foreign ministers of 57 Muslim countries have called for “earliest possible” withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq and stressed the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the country.

They supported efforts for promoting national reconciliation in Iraq, addressing causes of violence and terrorism, preserving the inviolability of its sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity and for capacity building of Iraqi security forces.

In a declaration issued on Thursday at the conclusion of the three-day Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers on peace, progress and harmony, they observed that it was the right of Iran and other Muslim countries to acquire and use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. They called for resolving Iran’s nuclear standoff through dialogue.

“We recognise Iran’s right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its readiness for the peaceful resolution of all issues,” said the declaration.

It supported a proposal to promote universal nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation on a non-discriminatory basis.

Highlighting salient features of the “Islamabad Declaration” at a press conference, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri said the conference reaffirmed the call for restructuring and reforming the Organisation of Islamic Conference in order to make it more effective in accordance with the reform programme in the Makkah Declaration of December 2005 and the 10-Year Programme of Action.

He said the meeting agreed on the need to revise the OIC Charter to adapt it to the needs of the 21st century and decided to continue discussions with a view to finalising the draft by the next Islamic Summit to be held early next year in Senegal.

He said the conference had taken place at a critical juncture for the Muslim world and addressed all issues of concern to the Ummah. It also reaffirmed the resolve of the Islamic world to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and stressed the need for addressing its root causes. It condemned terrorism and denounced efforts to link terrorism with any religion, theology or culture.

The conference also took serious note of the increasing trend of Islamophobia and emphasised the need for addressing misperceptions about Islam. “We call upon the international community to prevent incitement to hatred and discrimination against the Muslims and take effective measures to combat defamation of religions and acts of negative stereotyping of people based on religion, belief or ethnicity.”

Supporting the establishment of an international centre for counter-terrorism, the ministers resolved to strengthen cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

They agreed on exchanging information, capacity building and addressing root causes, which included unresolved conflicts, suppression of people and denial of their right to self-determination.

The gathering also asked the OIC secretary-general to continue initiatives to effectively counter Islamophobia through debate at the international forum.

They commended the concept of enlightened moderation to combat extremism and terrorism and resolve international disputes.

They called for a just and peaceful settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict and welcomed the renewal of the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002.

The declaration also welcomed other initiatives for promoting peace in the Middle East. Emphasising the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al Quds as its capital, the ministers demanded liberation of all occupied Arab territories of Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.

They called for return of Palestinian refugees and internally displaced people to their homes and implementation of Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397 and 1515 and the General Assembly resolution 194.

They emphasised respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Lebanon and extended support to its government in its reconstruction and rebuilding efforts following the destruction caused by Israeli aggression.

On Jammu and Kashmir, the foreign ministers reaffirmed their support to the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

They called for respect of human rights of the Kashmiri people and agreed to provide all possible political and diplomatic support to representatives of the Kashmiri people in their struggle against foreign occupation.

They hoped that the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India would lead to a resolution of the Kashmir dispute and usher in lasting peace in South Asia.

They also urged the international community to enhance assistance to the government and people of Afghanistan in their efforts towards peace, security, reconstruction and development.

The declaration underscored the need to evolve an energy strategy that responded to the interests of the member states.

It called for vigorously pursuing social and economic development in the Islamic countries through eradication of poverty and increasing and promoting investment and trade.

“We will continue working for establishing a free trade area for greater economic integration in the Islamic world and in this regard request the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Industry to prepare projects to enlarge mutual trade and investment among the member states,” it said.

It urged the Islamic Development Bank to promote development cooperation among the member states to assist the less-developed OIC countries and welcomed the creation of the OIC Poverty Alleviation Fund for the member states.