Putrajaya (Malaysia), Oct 16: Muslim leaders will back beleaguered Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and reassert their support for the uprising against the Israeli occupation of West Bank, according to a draft resolution obtained today. The two-day Organisation of the Islamic Conference summit is expected to express its continued support for the Palestinian uprising in a final resolution to be issued at the end of the meeting tomorrow.

Support for the Palestinian cause is a central tenet of the OIC, which was formed in 1969 after the burning of the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. The draft resolution approved by OIC foreign ministers and obtained by news persons condemns Israel for its "continuing crimes, slaughters and its repressive acts against the Palestinian people".

It applauds the "legitimate leadership commanded by President Yasser Arafat in the face of Israeli aggression" and demands the immediate lifting of restrictions imposed against Arafat and the Palestinian people. The draft resolution pays tribute to the "just resistance of the Palestinian people and its heroic Intifada to recover its national rights".

Bureau Report