Islamic Group Condemns U.S. Moves Against Libya

Libya scored another diplomatic success Thursday, pushing through the Organization of the Islamic Conference a tough resolution that condemns the U.S. sanctions against Libya and calls on Muslim countries to counter the American measures.

The resolution, passed in a regular session, called on all Muslim nations “to take the necessary actions deemed appropriate to counter these oppressive American measures.”

On Tuesday, the conference unanimously passed a declaration recording the 45-member organization’s solidarity with Libya in the face of threats by “international imperialism” and the “Zionist entity.” That resolution, approved by Arab countries with close ties to America--including Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait--did not specifically mention the United States.

“Zionist entity,” is Muslim parlance for Israel.

Specifically Names U.S.

Thursday’s resolution specifically named the United States and calls upon Washington “to rescind these oppressive economic measures.”

It also reaffirmed the conference’s unqualified solidarity with Libya against actions it said “infringe upon the sovereignty and the independence of Libya and also seek to undermine its economic and development plans.”

Libyan Foreign Minister Ali Tureiki said he is quite satisfied with the resolution, which resulted from his diplomatic efforts since the conference began Monday.

Asked if he thought it would result in any concrete action against the United States, Tureiki said, “Normally, the conference countries should react (to the resolution) practically with economic sanctions.”

Boycott of U.S. Goods

Tureiki said Libya wants the Muslim world to boycott American goods and said he will ask Arab countries to withdraw their money from the United States.

He said Arab foreign ministers will meet in Tunis, Tunisia, next week to discuss the “modality of their response” to the U.S. moves against Libya. Arab sources said the session probably will start Monday at Arab League headquarters in Tunis.

President Reagan on Tuesday ordered an end to all economic dealings with Libya and froze Libyan assets in the United States and in U.S. bank branches overseas on Wednesday. He has also ordered all Americans to leave the North African country by Feb. 1.

‘State Terrorism’

“This is another provocation and aggression, another terrorist move against our country,” Tureiki said of the freezing of Libyan assets. “This is state terrorism the United States is practicing.”

He said the freeze should be a warning to all countries that have made investments in the United States.

Arab foreign ministers at the Fez conference scheduled an informal meeting outside the conference hall for this morning, Tureiki said.

One Arab-only meeting was held Thursday morning, but it apparently was inconclusive, and ministers leaving the meeting were reluctant to reveal details.

The Islamic Conference Organization was created to act as an Islamic equivalent of the United Nations, promoting cooperation and unity among its members. The organization’s council, made up of the member nations’ foreign ministers, has been meeting in Fez since Monday.