OIC designates FETÖ a terrorist organization

Officials from Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries on Wednesday adopted a draft resolution designating U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen's group as a terrorist organization during preparatory talks for the 57-member organization's upcoming meeting of foreign ministers.

The draft was introduced at the preparatory talks that began Tuesday in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the OIC's official news agency said.

The meeting, which will run until Thursday, has focused on preparations for the 43rd OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Summit, where the draft resolution will be tabled for possible ratification. The summit, to be held in Uzbek capital Tashkent, is slated for October.

The draft resolution was approved by all OIC representatives, except the one from Egypt, who expressed Cairo's reservations to the move, citing "legal reasons". "We always stand with resolutions taken unanimously by the organization," Egypt's representative said, speaking on condition of anonymity. "But as for the current draft resolution [on FETO], we must first consult with Cairo to discuss the legal procedures involved," he added.

The Turkish government says FETÖ orchestrated a coup attempt on July 15 through Gülen's loyalists in the military, but failed to reach its aim to overtake the democratically-elected government.

At least 246 people, including civilians and security personnel, fell as martyrs and more than 2,100 were injured during the illegal putsch attempt. Gülen and his followers are also accused of attempting to infiltrate the country's key state institutions like the military, the police and the judiciary with the aim of taking the control of the Turkish state.