OIC Leaders Call For Negotiations In Syria

President Muhammad Morsi stands with other leaders of Islamic nations for a group photo before the opening of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation summit in Cairo.

Leaders of Muslim nations are calling for a negotiated end to Syria's conflict.

The Syria crisis is high on the agenda of a two-day summit of the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which opened on February 6 in Cairo.

Addressing the gathering, Egyptian President Muhammad Morsi called on "the ruling regime" in Damascus to learn the lessons of history and not put its interests above those of the nation.

Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad told journalists in Cairo there could be no military solution and said he was encouraged by signs the Syrian government and opposition were moving toward talks.

Saudi Crown Prince Salman told the summit the Syrian regime was "committing ugly crimes against its people."

Syria is not present at the summit after being suspended by the OIC in August 2012.

The summit comes amid reports of heaving fighting between government forces and opposition fighters on the outskirts of the capital, Damascus.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP