By John Keating
PARIS, May 29 (KUNA) -- The June 2 international conference to be held in the French capital has two major objectives, which include a willingness "to reaffirm common determination to stop the terrorist fanatics of Daash (ISIL)," a senior French official said on Friday.
Four days ahead of the event, which will include senior delegations for 24 countries and organisations, French Foreign Ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said that in addition to bolstering the efforts to combat Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, participants will also be discussing the need "to arrive at lasting political solutions to solve the Iraqi crisis." Kuwaiti First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah is expected to lead Kuwait's delegation to the talks.
Diplomats, speaking on ground of anonymity, told KUNA that almost all countries would be represented at the level of Foreign Minister.
The urgent need to have an "effective implementation of needed reforms for national reconciliation" in Iraq will dominate the agenda alongside the Coalition action against ISIL.
Finding inclusive political solutions are "the only way to fight effectively against the terrorist group" and participants will recall support for the efforts of the Iraqi government in finding these solutions, the French official stated.
Nadal indicated that Iraq will be the focal point of the talks, but given the developments in Syria, it is likely that this crisis will also force itself on to the agenda.
"The core is Iraq, but given the extent of the (Syrian) problem, it is likely to be discussed," Nadal said.
The meeting is co-chaired by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, US Secretary-of-State John Kerry and Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi.
The diplomatic source said that in addition to Kuwait, GCC participation will include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar. Other Arab countries attending are Egypt, Jordan, while Turkey will also be coming from the region.
In addition to France and the US participation, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Germany, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Italy and Holland are sending Foreign Ministers.
Participating groups or organisations include the European Union, UNESCO, and the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). (end) jk.ajs