JEDDAH, June 2: The Organization of the Islamic Conference called on India and Pakistan on Sunday to resolve their dispute through dialogue and offered to help defuse the conflict between them.

OIC Secretary-General Abdelwahed Belkeziz said in a statement that he was following with “deep concern the growing tension between India and Pakistan over the conflict on Kashmir”.

“All disputes should be resolved through dialogue and recognized peaceful means, and that there is no justification for the threat to use force,” Mr Belkeziz said.

He expressed “full readiness to exert goodwill efforts with the two countries to defuse tension and facilitate dialogue as a step towards serious and fruitful negotiations to reach a just and durable settlement for outstanding issues.”

Mr Belkeziz added that the OIC had joined the world community “in condemning terrorism in all its forms.”

“The secretary-general appeals to the international community to intervene and make Pakistan and India to avoid escalating tension.

“He also calls on the two countries for self-restraint, withdraw their troops from the border to positions occupied before the crisis and allow international observers to monitor the situation,” the statement said.—AFP