JEDDAH: The world's largest Muslim body on Wednesday raised concerns about the international response to the crisis in Syria, while expressing frustration at the unending bloodshed.

In a speech, Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu reiterated the Jeddah-based group's rejection of any moves "to internationalise the crisis."

"We also refuse any military intervention and affirm our respect to Syria and its sovereignty... and welcome international and Arab efforts" to reach a solution, he told an emergency ministerial meeting of the pan-Islamic body.

But the OIC chief expressed frustration at the lack of a breakthrough to end the violence since March that the United Nations says killed more than 3,500 people, mostly civilians, in its first eight months.

"We have exhausted all our mechanisms and powers in our attempt to bridge the gap and end bloodshed" in Syria, said Ihsanoglu, urging ministers to "reach practical recommendations that would help achieve a compromising solution."

The gathering is being attended by Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem, and Ali Akbar Salehi, his counterpart from Iran which is a key regional ally of the regime in Damascus.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey, a former ally of Damascus before relations soured over the protest crackdown by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The Arab League approved on Sunday sweeping sanctions against Assad's government over the crackdown -- the first time that bloc has enforced punitive measures of such magnitude on one of its own members.

Measures include an immediate ban on transactions with Damascus and its central bank and a freeze on Syrian government assets in Arab countries.

They also bar Syrian officials from visiting Arab countries and call for a suspension of all flights to Arab states to be implemented on a date to be set next week.