Friday, December 9 2005 09:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mecca: Muslim leaders from across the globe agreed yesterday (Dec 8,2005) on measures to combat terrorism and defend the image of Islam at a summit in the holy city of Mecca.

The leaders wound up a two-day summit of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) pledging to 'update national laws to criminalize all acts of terrorism as well as its financing and incitement.'

In a Mecca Declaration read out in a final session, they also called upon their peoples to 'combat forcefully the preachers of sedition and deviation, who aim to distort the peaceful principles of Islam'.

Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal said that Muslim leaders who met in Mecca, western Saudi Arabia, had agreed to 'combat terrorism and extremism and stressed the moderate nature of Islam'.

"They stressed the need to stop blaming outside forces for problems in the Muslim world and focus on cooperation," he said.

"(They agreed) on stressing the importance of cooperation between Muslims and putting an end to complaints of foreign conspiracies, and concentrating on common efforts to face development challenges," he added.

The summit opened with a call from regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia for moderation and tolerance and a rejection of extremist violence.

"Islamic unity would not be reached through bloodshed as claimed by the deviants," said King Abdullah, whose country hosts the headquarters of the 57-member OIC.

King Abdullah was referring to Islamist extremists, notably the Al-Qaeda network of Saudi-born Osama bin Ladenwhich has claimed attacks across the globe, including in Saudi Arabia.