TEHRAN, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Iranian President Mohammed Khatami called Friday for holding an emergency meeting of Muslim countries to discuss the situation in Iraq, especially Najaf.
The Iranian News Agency, IRNA, reported Khatami made the call during a telephone conversation with Malaysian President Ahmed Badawi, whose country heads the rotating presidency of the Organization of Islamic Conference.
Khatami described the situation in Iraq as "extremely worrisome" for the Islamic world and countries of the Middle East.
"What is happening in Iraq is a humanitarian catastrophe which necessitates taking steps to stop its perpetration, especially in the holy city of Najaf," IRNA quoted Khatami as telling Badawi.
Khatami pleaded with Badawi to undertake the necessary contacts for holding an emergency meeting of leaders of OIC member states "to take a decisive and clear stance on Iraq developments."
Fighting has been going on for more than two weeks in the holy Shiite city between U.S. forces and Shiite gunmen led by radical cleric Moqtada Sadr.
