Jeddah: Ten Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, agreed on Thursday in Jeddah to rally behind Washington in the fight against Islamist militants, as it seeks to build an international coalition.
“The participating states agreed to do their share in the comprehensive fight” against Isil, said a statement at the end of a meeting between US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Arab counterparts.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, the other Arab states are Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Although Turkey was represented, it was not mentioned in the final communique and a Turkish official said Ankara has refused to take part in combat against the militants. Kerry is to fly to Ankara on Friday for talks.
The 10 countries and Washington declared their “shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism, including the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil)”.
The fight will include “stopping the flow of foreign fighters through neighbouring countries, countering financing of Isil and other violent extremists, repudiating their hateful ideology, and bringing perpetrators to justice”.
It will also include “contributing to humanitarian relief efforts, assisting with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities brutalised by Isil, supporting states that face the most acute Isil threat”.
Kerry told reporters that Arab partners will play a “leading role” in the coalition.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al Faisal called for a “comprehensive approach” that does not focus on one country in the fight against Isil.
US President Barack Obama declared on Wednesday that he would lead an alliance to root out Isil in both Syria and Iraq, plunging the United States into two conflicts.
