Kuwait FM calls for overall strategic view to extinguish ISIL, terrorism

Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Monday stressed the necessity of crystallizing an overall view to counter the threats posed to the whole region by terrorist groups, with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) on top.

Addressing the Paris conference on peace and stability in Iraq, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said the gathering comes at a time when the pace of ISIL advance is accelerating, seizing vast areas of Iraq and Syria.

He also referred to ISIL's "most disgraceful practices" prompting a stop to crystalize a comprehensive strategic view to "annihilate the risks posed by these terrorist groups to security and stability in the whole region." Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled recalled the UNSC recent resolution 2170 calling on all UN member states to act to suppress the flow of foreign fighters, financing and other support to Islamist extremist groups in Iraq and Syria. Many other meetings followed to discuss how to repel the perilous phenomenon.

"Several resolutions and statements have been issued urging collaboration of regional and international efforts to counter terrorism. These include the Arab League resolution issued on September 7, and the statement of the Jeddah meeting issued on September 11, in addition to the NATO summit in Wales," the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister said.

"Based on a firm stance that ejects all forms of terrorism, Kuwait supports the call by the Kingdom of Bahrain to convene a conference to draw up a work plan to counter terrorism financing in the region, as well as halting financial aid to ISIL and other terrorist groups," he added.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled also reaffirmed Kuwait's keenness on stability in neighboring Iraq, saying the country has been working on enhancing bilateral ties over the past three years. He referred to the visit by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to Baghdad in March 2012, to take part in the Arab Summit.

He added that the visit then functioned as a platform for promoting bilateral relations. On the humanitarian level, the Kuwaiti government has decided to offer aid, through the UN organizations and agencies, to the displaced Iraqis affected by the deteriorating security conditions in the country, he said.

In addition, the Kuwaiti Cabinet also decided to offer relief aid and supplies worth USD 10 million, to the displaced families that fled their homes for fear of terrorist attacks.

Moreover, Kuwait is arranging with the Arab League Secretary General and Mauritania, head of the League ministerial council, to visit Baghdad in support of the Iraqi government in its fight against terrorism, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled said. The visit will deliver a message of solidarity by all Arab countries with the Iraqi government.

The State of Kuwait is always looking forward to working intensively with the Iraqi government to cement bilateral ties, he concluded

Source: KUNA