All Eyes on Salam's Role at Islamic Summit in Istanbul

All eyes will be on Istanbul on Thursday to hear Prime Minister Tammam Salam's speech at the summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and observe the result of the meetings that he will hold there following a deterioration of ties between Lebanon and Gulf nations.

Salam traveled to Istanbul on Wednesday to take part in the 13th conference of the OIC. He is accompanied by Foreign Minister Jebran Bassil, Finance Minister Ali Hassan Khalil, Agriculture Minister Akram Shehayyeb and Environment Minister Mohammed Mashnouq.

According to An Nahar daily, the PM made amendments to the speech, which he is expected to deliver on Thursday afternoon, after the closing statement that was agreed on during a preparatory meeting included a condemnation of Iran's interference in the region.

The statement has also labeled Hizbullah a terrorist organization despite the reservations expressed by Lebanon and several other states.

The content of Salam's speech is important because ties have deteriorated between Lebanon and Gulf Cooperation Council countries over Hizbullah's role in Syria.

Last month, the Saudi-led GCC labeled Hizbullah a terrorist organization after Riyadh halted $4 billion of aid to the Lebanese army and security forces.

The Arab League also blacklisted Hizbullah after coming under Saudi pressure.

Saudi Arabia accuses Lebanon of siding with Iran in the wars in Syria and Yemen.

Salam is expected to meet with the Kuwaiti and Qatari emirs on the sidelines of the OIC summit. But it is not clear if he will hold talks with Saudi King Salman.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the summit was being held at a time when "the Islamic world is experiencing many disputes within itself".

"Fratricidal conflict causes great pain. Sectarianism divides the ummah," he told OIC foreign ministers on Tuesday, using the Arabic world for the Muslim community.

"Hopefully, this summit will pave the way for healing some wounds," he added.