Cairo (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, along with other leaders of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have called for a dialogue between the Syrian opposition and government officials to put an end to violence in the war-torn country.

President Yudhoyono, accompanied by Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, is in Cairo to attend the OIC Summit as security situation in Egypt remains tense following a wave of anti-government protests in downtown Cairo and a number of other Egyptian cities.

The Indonesian leader and some other 50 OIC heads of state and government were greeted by Egyptian President Mohammad Mursi upon arrival in the Egyptian capital.

Egypt will take over the OIC chairmanship for the next three years, replacing Senegal.

At the summit, the Indonesian president and the Nigerian president will deliver speeches, representing Asia and Africa respectively.

According to the draft communique made available to the press, the OIC members underscored the need to put an end to the bloodshed in Syria, while asking Syrian government officials to be responsible for the violence.

"We are concerned about the worsening situation and the rising frequency of murders that have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians," the draft communique said.

In the draft communique, the OIC leaders also urged the opposition force to speed up the formation of a transitional government and make preparations to take full responsibilities when the time comes.

Besides attending the OIC Summit, President Yudhoyono is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Sudanese President Omar Hasan Ahmad al Bashir. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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