OIC sees non-military Afghan solution

ISTANBUL, Turkey, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- A military approach to Afghanistan is not enough to guide the embattled nation on the road to recovery, participants at a regional summit in Istanbul said.

Regional leaders are in Istanbul to attend the economic summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference that kicked off during the weekend.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary-general of the OIC, attended a working meeting on Afghanistan hosted by Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The OIC secretary-general noted the organization has contributed to the Afghan effort since the Soviet invasion in 1979. Ihsanoglu stressed, however, that the solutions to the lingering problems in Afghanistan are linked more to social and economic development than military engagement.

The OIC noted the attending delegates agreed, calling for a comprehensive approach to meeting Afghanistan's cultural, economic and social needs.

Delegates agreed to hold a regional conference on Afghanistan at some point in the future.

The OIC announcement comes as Washington deliberates over its strategy for the military effort in Afghanistan.

U.S. President Barack Obama is expected to meet with his top military strategists to review the war plans on Wednesday, ABC News reports.

Washington officials stress, however, that no decision has been made on whether to send additional American troops despite media reports that circulated Monday evening.