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  US Continues Building Coalition as Diplomats Gather to Discuss Islamic State

   by VOA News

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry continues the effort to build a
   U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants at a conference
   Monday in Paris that brings together diplomats from 26 countries, the
   United Nations, European Union and the Arab League.

   French President Francois Hollande and Iraqi President Fouad Massoum
   are hosting the meeting focusing on peace and security in Iraq, where
   Islamic State militants have seized large areas in the northern and
   western part of the country.

   Kerry said Sunday that a growing number of countries are prepared to
   join the fight, including those in the Middle East and elsewhere
   offering to give military assistance and carry out airstrikes, if
   needed.

   But Iraqi President Massoum told the Associated Press that it is not
   necessary for Arab powers to conduct airstrikes, saying what is needed
   is for them to "participate in the decisions" of the conference.

   He highlighted the importance of taking action against the Islamic
   State group, saying it is "in the interest of everyone."

   "If this group installs itself in Iraq, this will create of a lot of
   problems in Iraq, the region and the world. We must try to be helped by
   other countries so there is international mobilization against this
   group that wants to install itself in Iraq and from there unleash
   itself on the world," said Massoum.

   Iran is not one of the 26 countries participating in the conference.
   Massoum said he thinks Iran should have been invited, given the long
   shared border with Iraq and the humanitarian aid Iran has been
   providing during the crisis.

   Kerry said during an interview on CBS television's Face the Nation that
   the United States will not be coordinating with Syria in fighting
   Islamic State militants. He said the Syrian government had plenty of
   opportunity to confront the group and has not done so.  He said Syrian
   opposition forces will be helped in their ongoing fight against the
   group.

   Also Sunday, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his country
   will soon deploy 600 military personnel and several jet fighters to the
   region in response to a formal request from the U.S. for international
   help.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-building-coalition-diplomats-gathe
   r-discuss-islamic-state/2449833.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-building-coalition-diplomats-gather-discuss-islamic-state/2449833.html