Muslim group announces summit

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- The Organization of the Islamic Conference announced Monday that an extraordinary summit of the 57-state group will be held in December in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Ataa Manan, a spokesman for the Jeddah-based organization, said after consultation with the Saudi government it was decided to hold the summit Dec. 7 and 8.

A preparatory conference of foreign ministers will be held Dec. 6, a day before the summit, he said.

Saudi King Abdullah called for such a summit earlier this year to discuss developments in the Muslim world, especially extremist religious thinking which is blamed for terrorism.