Paris Conference Vows to Defeat ’Daesh’ By ’Any Means Necessary’

Local Editor

World leaders and diplomats vowed to defeat the so-called "Daesh" [ISIL] militants by "any means necessary", including by providing "appropriate military assistance," at talks in Paris on Monday.

In a joint statement issued after the talks in Paris, diplomats stressed that Daesh extremists were "a threat not only to Iraq but also to the entire international community" and underscored the "urgent need" to remove them from Iraq.

The talks were held on Monday as France began reconnaissance flights over Iraq after announcing it was ready to join US air strikes.

While world leaders and diplomats convened in Paris to discuss the threat posed by Daesh, it is believed that the extremist group has recruits from up to 51 countries.

No Arab state has publicly promised to participate in military action but it is believed several have in private, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates [UAE].

A senior western source told the Guardian that Saudi Arabia was prepared to act in a frontline role. "There is a very real possibility that we could have the Saudi air force bombing targets inside Syria. That is a remarkable development, and something the US would be very pleased to see."

Another senior official said Saudi Arabia was far more willing to play an open role in the offensive against Daesh than it did during the 1991 Gulf war and the 2003 invasion of Iraq. On those campaigns, Riyadh allowed its military bases to be used by US forces, but did not commit its service personnel.

While the US and Britain have ruled out sending ground troops to areas of Iraq and Syria,  British Prime Minister David Cameron hinted that the UK would be prepared to join the US in conducting a bombing campaign against Daesh as part of a wider alliance.

In his statement, Cameron made no mention of recalling parliament to debate the possibility of air strikes, which he has promised to do before ordering military action unless confronted by an emergency. MPs are in recess for party conferences until October 14.

Meanwhile, Australia has promised to send 600 troops and eight fighter jets to help the US.

A second emergency conference is to be held in Bahrain to examine ways to cut off the funding and the flux of fighters to Daesh, though no date was given.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team