adminCAIRO— The Arab League called for the creation of a regional force to combat militants as countries face a growing threat from Daesh and other groups. The ultra-radical group has taken over swathes of Iraq and Syria and splinter groups in other countries like Egypt and Libya have pledged allegiance to it. Yemen’s Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is also very active.
The United States leads a coalition that is fighting Daesh in Iraq and Syria. Washington says Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan and Bahrain have participated in or supported air strikes in Syria. Iran is also playing a major role in fighting Daesh in Iraq.
Egypt, the most populous Arab state, struck Daesh targets in Libya last month after the militants beheaded 21 Egyptians.
But there has been no comprehensive Arab force to fight militants. Previous calls for a unified force have failed to produce results.
Speaking at the opening session of an Arab League meeting of foreign ministers, Secretary-General Nabeel Al Arabi called for action.
“What is required now and urgently is to look into creating a . . . multi-national force that is able to look at what unites them in terms of responsibilities in the areas of quick intervention to fight terrorism, the activities of terrorist groups, helping in peacekeeping operations and securing humanitarian operations,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of “cooperation in areas related to security protection and the exchange of information between Arab countries.”
Arab League deputy chief Ahmad Bin Helli told reporters last week that the bloc’s leaders are expected to focus on the creation of such a common force when they meet for its annual summit on March 28 to 29 in Egypt’s Red Sea resort of Sharm Al Shaikh.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah Al Sissi has also called for such a force, saying it is needed to confront security threats in a region where Daesh holds swathes of Syria and Iraq and has gained a foothold in Egypt’s neighbour Libya.
He has suggested that a number of Arab League members, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan, are considering supporting the idea. — Reuters/AFP.
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