On the margins of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Heads of State Summit in Mecca, Special Envoy to the OIC Rashad Hussain held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Najib of Malaysia, President Zardari of Pakistan, Prime Minister Aziz of Mauritania, President Sall of Senegal, Vice President Sambo of Nigeria, and OIC Secretary General Ihsanoglu. They discussed a number of issues, including Syria, the democratic transitions in the Middle East and North Africa, and U.S. engagement with Muslim communities around the world. He also had a pre-dawn Ramadan meal with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and other leaders from OIC countries, where he met with President Gul of Turkey and President Karzai of Afghanistan.

Special Envoy Hussain’s attendance demonstrates the United States’ commitment to working with our partners in the international community to support the aspirations of the Syrian people and bring additional pressure to bear on the Assad regime.