TUNIS, FEB 24, SPA -- SECRETARY GENERAL OF JEDDAH-BASED ORGANIZATION OF THE ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC) PROFESSOR EKMEL-EDDIN IHASAN OGLU HAS UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE OF MAKKAH AGREEMENT SIGNED BY THE PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIPS UNDER THE AUSPICE OF THE CUSTODIAN OF THE TWO HOLY MOSQUES KING ABDULLAH BIN ABDULAZIZ, AND SAID THE PALESTINIAN LEADERS SHOULD EXPLOIT THE AGREEMENT FOR THE SERVICE OF THE PALESTINIAN CAUSE AND STRAIGHTENING MATTERS. IN A STATEMENT PUBLISHED IN TUNIS, OGLU WARNED ISRAEL AGAINST CARRYING OUT EXCAVATION OPERATIONSIN THE VICINITY OF AL-AQSA MOSQUE. HE URGED THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY AND THE UNESCO TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE ISLAMIC HERITAGE. WARNING AGAINST THE ESCALATION OF THE SECTARIAN STRIFE IN IRAQ, UGLO SAID THE OCCUPATION OF IRAQ HAS CONTRIBUTED TO UNDERMINING THE BALANCE OF THE IRAQI COMMUNITY. HE POINTED OUT THAT THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO ACQUIRE THE NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES, AND CALLED FOR ISLAMIC COOPERATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROGRAMS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY. AS REGARDS THE OIC, OGLU SAID THE ROLE OF THE OIC HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DEVELOPED SINCE THE CONVENING OF THE EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT, HELD IN MAKKAH IN 2005. HE POINTED OUT THAT THE OIC HAS PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIELDS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND HUMAN RIGHTS.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/427813