Baghdad, Jan 24, IRNA - The 11th conference of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) began in the Iraqi capital city on Sunday with Iran's Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani as one of its participants.


The event is to focus on the fight against terrorism and extremism in its today session.

The PUIC meeting kicked off at the level of parliament vice-speaker on January 20. It is to finish work on Monday issuing a statement.

Some 40 Islamic countries have attended the event. Ten participants, including Iran, have taken part at the level of parliament speaker.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain and UAE have not taken part in the conference.

The PUIC meeting is being held in Iraq while the region is witnessing developments such as international organized terrorism which has put the Islamic countries in danger.

On 17 June, 1999, the Founding Conference of the PUIC was held in Tehran. The Participants decided to establish the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) with the Permanent Headquarters in Tehran.

The PUIC has 53 members and 22 regional and international organizations and parliaments are observers of the Union.

By IRNA