Muslims appeal to NATO to stop bombing Yugoslavia

Accra (Greater Accra), 18th May 99 ?

The Ghana Muslim Mission has appealed to NATO to stop its air raids in Yugoslavia and find a peaceful solution to the crisis in Kosovo.

A statement issued on Monday and signed by Abubakar Aryeetey, General-Secretary, said apart from the untold hardships the people in Kosovo are facing as a result of the current air raids by NATO, the destruction in Yugoslavia is enormous and pathetic.

"We therefore call on NATO and all concerned to halt all military operations, including the withdrawal of forces from the region."

The statement said to keep peace in the region, the formation of a military force contributed by several states and some NATO member states, whose intervention may be accepted by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, should be organised as a matter of urgency.

It called for the deployment of an effective international civil and security presence endorsed and adopted by the United Nations capable of guaranteeing the achievement of the common objectives and establishment of an interim administration for Kosovo.

"We pray that Almighty Allah will grant the required wisdom and guidance in handling the Kosovo crisis for eventual peaceful settlement."