Publish Date: 16 August 2012 - 12:50

Tehran opposes a suspension of Syria's membership in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said .

The remarks by Salehi came one day before the OIC leaders hold an emergency meeting in Mecca to discuss issues facing the Islamic world.

"I'm openly against the suspension of the membership of any country, any organization," Salehi told reporters in Jeddah.

"By suspending the membership, this does not mean you are moving towards resolving an issue. By this, you are erasing the issue," Salehi said in reference to the 17-month conflict in Syria.

"Every country, especially OIC countries must join hands to resolve this issue in such a way that will help the peace, security and stability in the region," AFP quoted Salehi as saying. 

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