RIYADH, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Saturday denounced Israel's recognition of Somaliland as an independent state as a serious violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The condemnation was included in a final communique issued after the 22nd Extraordinary Session of the organization's Council of Foreign Ministers, held on Saturday in Jeddah. The council said the recognition is null and void under international law and reaffirmed its full solidarity with the Somali government and people.
The communique also rejected any illegal foreign military, security or intelligence presence on Somali territory, warning that such actions threaten peace and stability in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The council reiterated that the Palestinian cause remains central to the Islamic world. It welcomed countries that have recognized the State of Palestine and reaffirmed the Palestinian people's right to self-determination and to establish an independent state based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The communique further called for consolidating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid, rejecting any forced displacement of Palestinians, and ending Israel's settlement expansion and violations in the West Bank, including Jerusalem. ■
