Muslim Leaders Gather to Discuss Syria

Iranian, Saudi Arabian leaders support opposite sides in civil war.

Leaders of Muslim countries, including Iran's pro-Syria President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, will gather today (Tuesday) for an extraordinary summit called by Saudi King Abdullah who is pushing to mobilise support for the Syrian rebellion.

"The Syrian issue will be a top priority" in the summit taking place in the holy city of Makkah, according to Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the secretary general of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

War-ravaged Syria will not be represented in the summit, the head of the Jeddah-based 57-member organisation told AFP, adding that a preparatory meeting of OIC foreign ministers on Monday is expected to "announce the suspension of Syria's membership as recommended by member states".