Islamic nations term violence in Libya 'humanitarian catastrophe'

A 57-member grouping of Islamic countries has described the ongoing "coercion and oppression" in Libya as a "humanitarian catastrophe" and asked Tripoli to stop immediately the violence against innocent people that has resulted in hundreds of casualties.
   
In a statement condemning excessive use of force against civilians by its member state Libya, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference termed the "ongoing coercion and oppression in Libya as a humanitarian catastrophe which goes against Islamic and human values."
   
The statement, issued by group's permanent observer mission to the United Nations, expressed condolences to the Libyan people and to families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to the wounded.

The Libyan Interior Ministry has put the death toll in over a week of violence at 300, but Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini has claimed that the crackdown has killed as many as 1,000 people.
       
The OIC called on the Libyan authorities to stop immediately violence against innocent Libyans, which has resulted in hundreds of casualties.
   
It emphasized the need to address their claims peacefully and through serious dialogue instead of assassination and blood shedding, the statement said.
   
In the same vein, the General Secretariat of the OIC emphasized that peoples have the right to express their legitimate claims in a peaceful and civilized way.
       
The OIC is the second largest inter-governmental organization after the United Nations which has membership of 57 states spread over four continents.