Maldives has called for urgent action to provide reprieve for Palestinians, at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Executive Committee.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel participated in the open-ended extraordinary emergency meeting of the OIC Executive Committee held at Ministerial level in the OIC General Secretariat in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Discussions regarding the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the Palestinian people were held at the meeting.

In his remarks, State Minister Khaleel strongly condemned the ongoing Israeli military aggression against the civilians of Gaza and urged for support to ensure humanitarian corridors to ensure the delivery of medicine, food supplies and other basic necessities to Gaza.

In addition to this, he urged the complete withdrawal of Palestinian lands occupied by Israel, noting that it is a violation of international law and in contravention of UN Security Council and OIC resolutions.

State Minister Khaleel further stated that the establishment of a sovereign and independent State of Palestine, based on the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital is the only path to achieve regional peace and stability.

Permanent Representative of Maldives to the OIC and Ambassador of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Mohamed Khaleel, First Secretary at the Consulate of Maldives in Jeddah Mohamed Rameez and Chief General Service Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aishath Rifga Mohamed accompanied State Minister Khaleel at the meeting.

Comprising of 57 member states, the OIC has constantly advocated for the rights of Palestinian people.

Since becoming a member back in 1976, the Maldives has been an active member of the OIC.