Muslim world rallies to Lebanon’s aid

Some of the world's most powerful Islamic leaders called for Muslims to play a key role in any peacekeeping force deployed in Lebanon. Eighteen Muslim countries assembled in Malaysia for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad grabbed the headlines with a repeated call for Israel to be “wiped off the map.”

Secretary General Ekmeleein Ihsanoglu said: “There is a consensus on making a strong appeal on an immediate ceasefire. There is a commitment of all heads of state to help Lebanon in this plight.”

Muslim countries are finding themselves under mounting domestic pressure to end the fighting, enflamed at international “double standards” towards Israel's offensive. The UN Security Council has not been spared condemnation, either, as the OIC railed that it “couldn't even muster the moral courage to condemn Israel for its attacks.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Farouq Kaddoumi said: “We think the security council should take action otherwise this kind of war might be extended to other countries. We cannot tolerate the continuous occupation of Israel to our territories and these atrocities exercised by the Zionist state.”

Delegates demanded that Israel should be investigated for “war crimes” against civilians. Lebanese Foreign Minister Fawzi Salloukh said:“We are especially calling to establish an international judiciary commission to investigate the criminal actions committed by Israel and also the return of the displaced Lebanese to their homes and villages.”