Jeddah, July 28, SPA -- Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has welcomed the recent decision of the Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders to commence comprehensive direct negotiations on September 3, 2008, under the UN auspices, to find a lasting solution to the Cyprus question. The OIC Secretary General stated that his organization has always been in favor of dialogue between the two sides in Cyprus for reaching an equitable settlement based on the political equality of the two peoples of the island. He reiterated the full support of the OIC to the good-will mission of the UN Secretary General to achieve a peaceful and mutually acceptable settlement in Cyprus, according to a press release of the OIC issued here yesterday.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/577456