OIC Chief Warns Syrian Regime of 'Internationalization'

The head of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation on Monday warned of a possible internationalization of the Syrian crisis if the regime does not comply with calls for reform and end the bloodshed.

If Syria "does not comply with the legitimate demands of the Syrian people and international calls by the OIC, the Arab League and the United Nations, it will risk the internationalization of its crisis," Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said.

The secretary general said internationalizing Syria's crisis will "not be in anybody's interest and will have dangerous outcomes on the security in Syria and in other (OIC) member states."

The pan-Islamic 57-nation organization is ready to "support all efforts seeking to work out a peaceful solution to the crisis in order to ensure the security and stability of Syria as well as respond to the legitimate demands of the Syrian people," he said in a statement.

"In this context, the OIC general secretariat is conducting consultations to convene a meeting of the OIC executive committee at the ministerial level," the English-language statement added.

Ihsanoglu also condemned the attacks on foreign missions in Syria.

"I remind Syrian authorities that they are responsible of protecting foreign missions in their country based on international law."

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem on Monday apologized for attacks by angry pro-regime mobs on the embassies of France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Qatar and Saudi Arabia were among 18 Arab League countries that voted on Saturday to suspend Syria from the pan-Arab organization over its lethal crackdown on protests.

The United Nations says more than 3,500 people have been killed in the crackdown.