Lebanese politician welcomes Russia's intention to join OIC

General coordinator of the Union of People's Committees, Leagues and Associations of Lebanon Bashour welcomes Russia's intention to join the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The entry of the Russian Federation into the OIC will strengthen the organization politically and economically, considering the weight of Russia in the world and the fact that it is a permanent member of the UN Security Council, he said in an interview with RIA Novosti. This will open the doors to other great powers to join the organization, he added.

During his official visit to Malaysia President of Russia Vladimir Putin spoke about Russia's intention to join the OIC possibly as an observer at the first stage.

Many politicians in the world, including us, regard this intention as a natural step by an authoritative country, which maintains close ties with many Islamic states, Bashour stressed. The OIC Charter does not have any provisions preventing the accession by Russia to that organization. Moreover, there are states among the OIC, in which the number of Muslims does not exceed 15-20 per cent of the entire population. The number of Muslims in general is not a condition for a candidate country to join the OIC, he said.

Russia's entry into the OIC will strengthen historical ties between Moscow and many Islamic states, open new cultural and spiritual prospects, strengthen political, economic and military aspects of these relations, Mr. Bashur said.