Saudi king labels Israeli offensive in Gaza a war crime --- Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz criticised on Friday international inaction over Israel’s offensive in Gaza, which he described as mass slaughter and “war crimes against humanity”, in a speech read out on his behalf on state television. -- “This [international] community, which has observed silently what is happening in the whole region, [is] indifferent to what is happening, as if what is happening is not its concern. -- “Silence that has no justification,” he was quoted as saying. -- He also slammed militants who he said were killing innocent people and mutilating their bodies in contravention of Islamic teachings and called on the region’s leaders and religious scholars to prevent Islam from being hijacked by militants. -- King Abdullah named no groups but was apparently referring to violence in neighbouring countries, including Iraq and Syria, where the Islamic State has captured swathes of territory, killing scores of people and forcing Christians to flee. -- The Saudi king warned that the fighting in Gaza will lead to a generation of children who will grow up knowing nothing but the language of violence. He called on Muslim leaders and the international community to unite against what he described as state terrorism and terrorism by groups. -- More, Reuters & AP, http://gulfnews.com/news/region/palestinian-territories/saudi-king-labels-israeli-offensive-in-gaza-a-war-crime-1.1366210