Muslim leader condemns Philippines bombings

The head of the world's largest body of Muslim-majority countries has strongly condemned the bombing of a Catholic church in the Philippines that killed more than 20 people and wounded nearly a dozen.

The general secretary of the 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Yousef Al-Othaimeen has also expressed his "deep indignation" at Sunday's terrorist attack.

He says the OIC firmly rejects all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism, whatever their sources or motives.

Separately, the OIC also welcomed the results of a recent referendum in the southern Philippines, which provides expanded autonomy for the region's minority Muslims in hopes of ending nearly five decades of a separatist rebellion that has left 150,000 people dead.