Addressing a conference on Iraq, Prince Saud cautioned world leaders that the threat posed by IS has transcended the boundaries of Iraq and Syria. “We see that the planned structure to fight IS should continue for at least 10 years to eradicate this hateful phenomenon.”
The chief Saudi diplomat explained: “It has become a danger, threatening everybody, and as such, should be jointly confronted.”
In his keynote speech, Prince Saud emphasized the need to attack IS strongholds in Syria, where the terrorist group received military training. “We should also extend every means of support to the Syrian opposition to confront IS militants,” he told the delegates.
French President Francois Hollande, who opened the conference, which brought together members of a US-led coalition, called for united international action to tackle the threat posed by IS.
The US this week unveiled an outline plan to fight militants simultaneously in Iraq and Syria. Washington believes it can forge a solid alliance despite hesitation of some partners.
“What is the threat?” the French leader said as he opened the one-day meeting, attended by officials from some 30 states in Paris. “It is global, so the response must be global … Iraq’s fight against terrorists is also our fight. We must commit ourselves together; that is the purpose of this conference,” said Hollande.
Iraqi President Fuad Masum said he hoped the Paris meeting would bring a “quick response” to militants who have declared the formation of a “caliphate,” or a so-called Islamic state ruled by Islamic law.
Foreign ministers from the major European states, the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Iraq’s neighbors and GCC states gathered to discuss the political, security and humanitarian aspects of tackling IS. Iran, meanwhile, rejected a US request to join the anti-IS coalition.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s foreign minister voiced “regret” that Iran was not invited to the conference.
“We insisted that Iran be present. However, it’s not us that took the decision. We regret the absence of Iran at this conference,” Ibrahim Al-Jaafari told reporters.
“All countries are affected by the Daesh (IS) problem and Iran is a neighboring country that has several times given us its support,” added the minister.
