Saudi King Abdullah said Monday that he expects the summit of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to be held this week in the holy city of Mecca would promote the unity of Islamic nations.

Saudi Arabia hopes the summit will be able to restore confidence to Islamic nations so that they can play an influential role in today's world, Abdullah was quoted as saying by the official Saudi Press Agency.

Abdullah said at a cabinet meeting that he hoped the summit could get positive responses from Islamic nations, especially positive responses from the people of Islamic nations.

The world is going through a delicate period which demands a great deal of wisdom and a clear vision of the future, the king added.

The summit, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, will bring together top leaders and representatives of more than 50 OIC member countries.

A series of regional development issues, especially the political and economic challenges that Islamic countries are facing, will be discussed at the meeting.

Foreign ministers of the countries arrived in the Saudi city of Jedda on Monday. They will hold a preliminary meeting Tuesday to discuss the draft of a declaration and two resolutions that are to be issued at the summit.

Source: Xinhua