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Islamic State crisis: Hollande warns of global threat Islamic State crisis: Hollande warns of global threat
(about 1 hour later)
French President Francois Hollande says the global threat posed by Islamic State (IS) militants must meet a global response.French President Francois Hollande says the global threat posed by Islamic State (IS) militants must meet a global response.
He was opening an international summit of foreign ministers in Paris aimed at combating the jihadist group. He was opening an international summit of foreign ministers in Paris aimed at combating the group in Iraq and Syria.
About 40 countries, including 10 Arab states, have signed up to a coalition to help fight IS in Iraq and Syria. A statement later issued by the 30 countries taking part pledged to help Iraq fight IS "by any means necessary".
The conference follows a whirlwind tour of the Middle East by US Secretary of State John Kerry.The conference follows a whirlwind tour of the Middle East by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Mr Kerry, who is also attending the summit, has been drumming up support for a plan of action unveiled by President Barack Obama last week. Mr Kerry, who also attended the summit, has been drumming up support for a plan of action unveiled by President Barack Obama last week.
The murder of British aid worker David Haines by IS militants, shown in a video released by the group on Saturday, has added momentum to the plans, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris.The murder of British aid worker David Haines by IS militants, shown in a video released by the group on Saturday, has added momentum to the plans, says the BBC's Lucy Williamson in Paris.
Islamic State controls large parts of Iraq and Syria. The CIA estimates that the group could have as many as 30,000 fighters in the region.Islamic State controls large parts of Iraq and Syria. The CIA estimates that the group could have as many as 30,000 fighters in the region.
'Bigger threat''Bigger threat'
Iraqi President Fuad Masum, who is co-hosting the conference, said the international community must pursue the jihadists wherever they were. Iraqi President Fuad Masum, who co-hosted the brief conference, said the international community must pursue the jihadists wherever they were.
He told Europe 1 radio: "They must intervene quickly because they are late. If this intervention and support to Iraq is late, that means that Islamic State could occupy more territory and the threat it poses will be even bigger."He told Europe 1 radio: "They must intervene quickly because they are late. If this intervention and support to Iraq is late, that means that Islamic State could occupy more territory and the threat it poses will be even bigger."
In his opening remarks, Mr Hollande called for support to moderate rebels in Syria. In his remarks, Mr Hollande called for support for moderate rebels in Syria.
"Chaos plays into the terrorists' hands," he said."Chaos plays into the terrorists' hands," he said.
"Therefore we have to support those who are able to negotiate and make the necessary compromise in order to preserve the future of Syria, and for France those are the forces of the democratic opposition." The summit closed a few hours later with a joint statement saying the participants were "committed to supporting the new Iraqi government in its fight... by any means necessary, including appropriate military assistance".
Earlier, France said it had begun surveillance flights over Iraq. Britain revealed in August that its aircraft had been gathering intelligence over Iraq.Earlier, France said it had begun surveillance flights over Iraq. Britain revealed in August that its aircraft had been gathering intelligence over Iraq.
Several Arab countries have offered to take part in air strikes on IS fighters in Iraq, US officials say.Several Arab countries have offered to take part in air strikes on IS fighters in Iraq, US officials say.
Turkey, however, will only allow humanitarian and logistical operations from the Nato air base on its soil.Turkey, however, will only allow humanitarian and logistical operations from the Nato air base on its soil.
Mr Kerry said he was "extremely encouraged" by promises of military assistance to tackle the militant group.Mr Kerry said he was "extremely encouraged" by promises of military assistance to tackle the militant group.
Analysis: Barbara Plett, BBC NewsAnalysis: Barbara Plett, BBC News
Mr Kerry has declared his coalition-building efforts in the Middle East a success, saying he won "full-throated" support from Sunni governments in the region for America's campaign against Islamic State [Sunni] militants who have taken over one third of Syria and Iraq.Mr Kerry has declared his coalition-building efforts in the Middle East a success, saying he won "full-throated" support from Sunni governments in the region for America's campaign against Islamic State [Sunni] militants who have taken over one third of Syria and Iraq.
But few specifics have been presented to flesh out this upbeat assessment in the scramble to craft a coherent plan from contributions offered by at least 40 countries worldwide in time for the UN General Assembly next week.But few specifics have been presented to flesh out this upbeat assessment in the scramble to craft a coherent plan from contributions offered by at least 40 countries worldwide in time for the UN General Assembly next week.
The cornerstone of the trip was a communique signed in Jeddah by 10 Sunni Arab governments agreeing to "do their share" in the comprehensive fight against Islamic State, including participation in a co-ordinated military campaign.The cornerstone of the trip was a communique signed in Jeddah by 10 Sunni Arab governments agreeing to "do their share" in the comprehensive fight against Islamic State, including participation in a co-ordinated military campaign.
The military details, at least, seem to be falling into place.The military details, at least, seem to be falling into place.
Daunting task ahead for US-led coalitionDaunting task ahead for US-led coalition
The US strategy to weaken the group centres on military support for Iraq but also includes plans to stop foreign fighters from joining the group, cutting its funding streams and trying to counter its ideology.The US strategy to weaken the group centres on military support for Iraq but also includes plans to stop foreign fighters from joining the group, cutting its funding streams and trying to counter its ideology.
The Paris conference is aimed at defining the role each member state will play. The Paris conference was aimed at defining the role each member state will play.
The 10 Arab states who are part of the coalition are Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. About 40 countries have so far signed up to a coalition including 10 Arab states - Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Neither Iran nor Syria are being allowed to take part.Neither Iran nor Syria are being allowed to take part.
Last week Mr Kerry ruled out co-operation with Iran citing its "engagement in Syria and elsewhere".Last week Mr Kerry ruled out co-operation with Iran citing its "engagement in Syria and elsewhere".
But Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran had rejected a US request for co-operation early in Islamic State's advance into Iraq.But Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Monday that Iran had rejected a US request for co-operation early in Islamic State's advance into Iraq.
"I said no, because they have dirty hands," he said."I said no, because they have dirty hands," he said.
Australia announced at the weekend that it was sending 600 troops and up to eight fighter jets to the UAE ahead of possible combat operations in Iraq.Australia announced at the weekend that it was sending 600 troops and up to eight fighter jets to the UAE ahead of possible combat operations in Iraq.
However, Mr Kerry told US broadcaster CBS that the US was not seeking troops on the ground at the moment.However, Mr Kerry told US broadcaster CBS that the US was not seeking troops on the ground at the moment.
Since August, US fighter jets have conducted about 160 air strikes on IS positions in Iraq.Since August, US fighter jets have conducted about 160 air strikes on IS positions in Iraq.