-- OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu held talks in Cairo Saturday with Egyptian foreign minister Ahmad Abul Gheit on the growing Islamophobia sentiments.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Ihsanoglu said they have discussed cooperation between Egypt and the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), latest developments in the Islamic countries and preparations for the OIC summit in Egypt next year.

The Islamic world is pinning high hopes on Egypt's chairmanship, he said, especially that Egypt has a leading role in boosting cooperation among the OIC members.

He said his talks with Abul Gheit also dealt with political developments in Yemen, right-wing extremism in Europe and how the right-wing were launching a campaign against Islam in their democratic process.

They have also discussed preparations for the conference over the reconstruction of Darfur, Sudan, scheduled for March 21 in Cairo.

The OIC chief said the Darfur conference would discuss an action plan for the proposed projects in the troubled province, in addition to the social and economic development in the Sudanese region.

On the Israeli threats to launch a new war in the region, Ihsanoglu said Israel was showing again that it did not want peace but "is against peace." The Israeli positions "is a continuation of its hostile attitude against surrounding countries," he said.

Egyptian foreign ministry spokesman Husam Zaki said Abul Gheit informed Ihsanoglu about Cairo's preparations to host the OIC summit.

Cairo is set to take over the OIC chairmanship next year.

Source: KUNA