OIC pledges support for Mindanao development

NEW YORK - The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) offered support for the economic development of Mindanao in the form of specific projects and funding assistance.This was revealed in a statement issued by Press Secretary Jesus Dureza.Dureza said OIC Secretary General Elmeddin Ihsanoglu told President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during their bilateral meeting that ''peace can be attained only if the people's lives are improved.'President Arroyo held bilateral talks with heads of state on the sideline of the UN General Assembly here.Dureza said Ihsanoglu appeared to be well-informed about developments in Mindanao.Ihsanoglu said the OIC will exert efforts to consolidate the various Bangsa Moro factions.''We will do our role to consolidate the different factions and help in the socio-economic development of Mindanao and improve the life of the people in the area because there can't be peace without economic development," Ihsanoglu said. - OPS/GMANews.TV