Muslim summit slams Israeli 'terrorism'

Delegates lift their hands to recite prayers during the closing ceremony of the conference

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (CNN) -- In its effort to present a clear definition of terrorism, the Organization of Islamic Countries has categorized Israeli attacks as "state terrorism" but did not put Palestinian suicide bombings in the same category.

"We have re-iterated that terrorism has no particular face or image and cannot be linked to any group of people, religion or culture," Malaysia's Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, who chaired the conference, said on Wednesday.

"The Israeli military action clearly demonstrates the practice of state terrorism," he added.

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"We urge the international community to assume its responsibility in putting an end to the Israeli military aggression and to call for the immediate and total withdrawal of all Israeli forces from the occupied territories."

OIC delegates said they did not define Palestinian actions because they felt it was important to differentiate between the legitimate political struggle of Palestinians, which Muslim nations wholeheartedly support, and terror acts committed by Palestinian bombers.

Albar insisted the organization succeeded in its mission of defining terrorism during the three-day meeting.

At the start of the meeting Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said all attacks against civilians must be considered acts of terrorism.

"Whether the attackers are acting on their own or on the orders of their government; whether they are regulars or irregulars, if the attack is against civilians then they must be considered terrorists," Mahathir said.

Speaking with reporters after his address, Mahathir said we "must stop both the Palestinians and Israelis from mutual massacre."

Of the 57 OIC member nations, 51 out of 57 member nations attended the three-day conference.

The meeting -- originally called to define terrorism and prevent "Muslim bashing" in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks -- was in danger of being overrun by the developing conflict in the Middle East between Israel and the Palestinians.