PBNU Asks President to Mediate Solution to Syrian Crisis

Wonosobo, Central Java (Antara) - One of Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to act as a mediator to solve the ongoing Syrian crisis. "I appeal to President Yudhoyono to be earnest in dealing with the Syrian case, as well as the Middle East situation, and work as a mediator because Indonesia is respected (by them)," the chief of the organization, KH Said Aqil Siroj, said when opening a plenary session of the NU central board here on Saturday. He said President Yudhoyono is more respected in the international world, referring to the recent meeting of Islamic countries held in Cairo. Said added that there was a president who was pelted with a shoe while speaking at the forum, but when President Yudhoyono spoke, he was responded to warmly and also was applauded. "Please Pak (Mr) Yudhoyono, act quickly as a mediator. I think there is still an opportunity within the next few weeks to do it. Do not let a larger humanitarian tragedy occur again," he said. Said noted that dialog must be prioritized in the settlement of the Syrian conflict, rather than the use of arms, not to mention weapons of mass destruction. He said tensions in the Middle East have continued because no synergy has been achieved between Islam and nationalities. "Conflicts in the Middle East happen because they have not found ways to unite, or synergize, between Islam and nationalities. Moreover, there is no mediator, institution or large organization that could act as a mediator when conflicts happen in the region," he said. (*)