Muslim leaders from across the Middle East have gathered in Mecca for an unprecedented summit on the critical situation in Syria. It is being hosted by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah.

During the two-day summit, Muslim leaders are to mull proposals to suspend war-hit Syria from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Foreign ministers who held a preparatory meeting on Monday recommended the suspension of Syria's membership. A draft resolution was adopted by absolute majority and will be submitted to heads of state. The Syrian issue has been a bone of contention between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. Tehran is a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Riyadh is a leading champion of the opposition.