CAIRO: Army chiefs from Arab League nations on Wednesday began work on building a region-wide military force aimed at combating jihadists including the Islamic State group.
The regional bloc agreed in March to set up the force, with member states given four months to decide on its composition, precise rules of engagement and required budget.
The meeting to discuss such details was overseen by the Egyptian Armed Forces’ Chief of Staff Mahmud Hegazy at the League’s Cairo headquarters.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pushed for the creation of the regional force after the Islamic State (IS) organization executed a group of Egyptian Coptic Christians in Libya in February, prompting retaliatory air strikes by Cairo.
The plan gained further momentum after Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched air strikes on Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels in Yemen.
“The creation of a joint Arab force in no way aims to form a new alliance or army hostile to any country, but a force to fight terrorism and maintain security, peace and stability in the region,” Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said in a speech Wednesday.
Hegazy said there was a need to “fight terrorism,” adding that the force might intervene in internal conflicts.
“We cannot ignore internal conflicts and the growth of terrorist organizations in an Arab country, and it is wrong to think that these conflicts have no direct or indirect repercussions in other Arab countries,” he said.
Wednesday’s meeting will make proposals to the Arab heads of state that are expected to be ratified within three months.
Egypt, the most populous Arab country, appears set to become the backbone of the force.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription
