MONTREUX, January 22. /ITAR-TASS/. Syria’s neighboring countries should not struggle for regional leadership, but make the region successful, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Co-operation (OIC) Iyad bin Amin Madani said at the Geneva II international conference on Syria that was launched at Montreux, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

“The countries should regard the Syrian crisis not as an arena for expanding their influence, but rather as an opportunity to find a new paradigm that would result in the creation of a stable, prosperous and harmonious region,” he said.

“We believe that Geneva II will launch today a process that will put an end to the Syrian crisis and open for Syria prospects for rebuilding the country, restoring its security and stability,” Madani said.

He called on the Syrian authorities to immediately stop combat actions, in order “to demonstrate good will and a desire to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.