More good news, this time from an unlikely source: Islamic states to welcome new Iraq. I had thought they would try to exclude the Iraqi Governing Council, but it appears that the Organization of the Islamic Conference is about to take a more pragmatic view:

The status of Iraq since Saddam Hussein was toppled six months ago had led to disagreement in the OIC, with summit host Malaysia contending that no Iraqi government should be seated with the country under U.S. occupation, and the powerful Arab bloc saying that the Governing Council is transitional and legitimate enough, for now.

The Arab view prevailed, and Iraq will be represented by Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, a Kurd, and by Ayad Alawi, current holder of the council’s rotating leadership. Delegates said that a resolution would likely welcome the Governing Council but be balanced with calls for Iraq’s return to full independence and sovereignty and control over its own oil. The resolution “is more of a welcome and acknowledgment of the Governing Council and considering it as a step in the right direction,” said Musa Braiza, a senior official from Jordan. “I am not aware of any opposition.”

Of course, no OIC meeting could be complete without a denunciation of Israel, although in this case there is certainly some cause for bruised feelings, no matter the provocation to Israel:

A resolution condemning Israel for launching an airstrike in Syria — the first such attack in three decades — was also expected, Syrian officials said. Israel has claimed that the attack targeted a training camp used by Palestinian militants. Syria insists the camp closed years ago.

If it was closed, it certainly was well-stocked for a site that hadn't been used in years ...

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