Representatives of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims yesterday denounced what they called Israel's repression of Palestinians and urged the United States to help salvage the Middle East peace process.
"We urge the United States and the international community to work for an immediate end to Israel's policies which only lead to the destruction of the last chance for peace in our region," Qatar's emir told an emergency meeting of the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC).
Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the current head of the OIC, also called for the setting up of a high-profile Islamic panel to work towards ending 14 months of Israeli-Palestinian violence and a resumption of Middle East peacemaking.
Palestinian President Yasser Arafat called for the summit last Monday after Israel launched its fiercest air attacks since the start of the Palestinian uprising, but was unable to attend due to Israeli restrictions.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Mr Ahmed Maher, who visited Israel and Palestinian-ruled areas last week in a failed bid for a truce, blamed Israel for Mr Arafat's absence at the talks.
"The obstacles placed against President Arafat's participation at this meeting are part of Israeli aggression against not only the Palestinian people, but also international legitimacy," Mr Maher said. Egypt, the first Arab state to sign a peace treaty with Israel, has played a key role in trying to bridge Israeli-Palestinian differences.
In a speech read on his behalf by the chief Palestinian negotiator, Dr Saeb Erekat, Mr Arafat said the Israeli attacks had reached a "dangerous" level and renewed a call for international protection - a demand rejected by the US and Israel.
"We call for the adoption of a firm and decisive Islamic position to support and assist our people in their steadfastness and legitimate resistance," Mr Arafat said. Palestinians needed swift action, including the establishment of an "international mechanism that can oblige Israel to stop its aggression and war against our people".