RIYADH, Aug 19 (AFP) - The Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) said Thursday Israel will be held responsible for guaranteeing the protection of the Islamic holy sites under its authority.
"Israeli occupation authorities are held entirely responsible before the international community, particularly the Muslim world, for guaranteeing the protection of the holy sites under their occupation in Palestine," an OIC statement said.
The 57-member pan-Islamic body, based in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah, called on Israel to adhere to international treaties, mainly the fourth Geneva convention, and "to adopt the necessary measures against those plotting to vandalise the holy sites in Jerusalem."
The OIC statement, released to mark the 35th anniversary of an attempt to burn the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, the third holiest shrine in Islam, follows reports that extremist Jewish groups are plotting to attack the compound.
Israeli media have reported that authorities fear Jewish extremists could be planning an air attack on the disputed mosque compound in a bid to derail government plans to uproot settlers from the Gaza Strip.
The OIC statement warned that harming the Al-Aqsa mosque and other Islamic sacred sites would have "detrimental consequences ... on international peace and security."