JAKARTA, April 5 (UPI) -- Representatives of Muslim countries meeting in Indonesia have welcomed a call for a Muslim multinational force to replace U.S. troops in Iraq.
The proposal was made by Indonesia during a two-day meeting earlier this week in Bogor by member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, or OIC.
"OIC welcomes Indonesia's initiative to deploy peace-keeping forces from Muslim countries in Iraq to replace the U.S.-led coalition forces, the Antara news agency quoted OIC Assistant Secretary General Ezet Kamil Mukti.
The Antara report appeared in The Jakarta Post. Additional details on the proposal were not given, but a monitoring committee was reportedly being formed to advance the idea.
The OIC in its final declaration also condemned terrorism and fanaticism, called on rival groups in Iraq to stop fighting and for the international community to help with reconciliation among Iraq's various ethnic and religious groups and aid in reconstruction of the country's infrastructure.
The OIC was established in 1969 and has 57 member states. It's stated purpose is to promote Muslim unity, strengthen cooperation among members and support the Palestinian people.
