(WASHINGTON, DC) - Today, following a meeting chaired by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and held in Jeddah, ministers from the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the U.S. Secretary of State issued a communique reaffirming their commitment to combat terrorism.
In addition to hailing the formation of the new, inclusive Iraqi government, participants strengthened their resolve in supporting that government’s efforts to unite all Iraqis in combatting ISIS. The participating states agreed to do their share in the comprehensive strategy against ISIS, including, stopping the flow of foreign fighters through neighboring countries, countering financing of ISIS and other extremist groups, repudiating the ideologies of hate adopted by those terrorist groups, holding perpetrators of those hideousness acts accountable, ending their impunity trials and bringing them to justice, contributing to humanitarian relief efforts, assisting with the reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities brutalized by ISIS, supporting states that face the most acute ISIS threat, and, as appropriate, joining in the many aspects of coordinated military campaign against ISIS.
In a joint press statement Prince Saud and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry emphasized the success of the meeting and the importance of international cooperation to support efforts moving forward.
“This meeting comes in the light of our cooperation to face the threat of terrorism and with the increased activity of terrorist groups in the region,” said Prince Saud. “The meeting today was a good opportunity to discuss this phenomena from all different aspects and perspectives, and to go deep in its roots and causes and reflected keenness to come up with a joint vision to combat it through military means, security means, and intelligence, as well as economic and financial means, and intellectual means also.”
“I’m very pleased to say that the countries that were here today…committed to play a role in achieving this mission,” said Secretary Kerry.
