Jeddah, Sept 2, SPA -- The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) has condemned the hostage-taking by an armed group in Russia. The Jeddah-based OIC has reaffirmed its position that hostage takings are criminal acts, and has made an urgent appeal for the immediate release of the hostages, particularly the children. In a statement here yesterday, OIC Secretary-General Dr. Abdelouahed Belkeziz strongly denounced taking a number of hostages, including children, by an armed group in a school in the town of Beslan in the southern Russian province of North Ossetia yesterday, the first day of the new school year. "Such acts are against the principles and tenets of Islam and can only do harm to the friendly relations between the OIC member states and theRussian Federation," it added.--SPA1146 Local Time 0846 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/197331