US President George W Bush has said he will name an envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a coalition of Muslim countries.
US President George W Bush has said he will name an envoy to the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a coalition of Muslim countries.
The role of the envoy will be to bolster relations between the Muslim world and the US.
The role of the envoy will be to bolster relations between the Muslim world and the US.
The OIC represents some 57 Islamic states and promotes Muslim solidarity.
The OIC represents some 57 Islamic states and promotes Muslim solidarity.
The news came as former British PM Tony Blair was named as the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, to work on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.
The news came as former British PM Tony Blair was named as the Quartet's envoy to the Middle East, to work on behalf of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.
Mr Bush said the envoy to the OIC would "listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states" and "share with them America's views and values".
Mr Bush said the envoy to the OIC would "listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states" and "share with them America's views and values".
It is the first time such an envoy has been appointed by a US president.
It is the first time such an envoy has been appointed by a US president.
"This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship," Mr Bush said.
"This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship," Mr Bush said.
Is trying to improve America's image amongst Muslims a lost cause? What would it take to improve relations between the US and the Islamic world? Send us a comment.
