Anti-IS coalition voices unwavering support to Iraq

WASHINGTON, March 22 (KUNA) -- A Joint Statement from the 68-member Global Coalition to Counter the so-called Islamic State (IS) Wednesday showed "unwavering support" for Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi's efforts to fight the organization and bring stability to liberated areas.
The statement comes on the heels of the first day of a two-day summit in Washington.
"We strongly support Prime Minister Abadi's vision for an Iraq free of [IS] and his government's work to enhance public services, reinforce inclusive governance, reduce corruption, decentralize certain federal authorities, and ensure the equal rights of all Iraqis irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, religion, or belief," the statement said.
"We applaud the Government of Iraq for protecting civilians in conflict zones," and for reclaiming 60 percent of territory held by IS.
In Syria, the coalition called for "a negotiated political resolution to the conflict" in line with the 2012 Geneva Communique, as it is "essential to bring about the defeat of [IS], achieve peace in Syria, and preserve the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity" of the country.
No demands were made for Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad to step aside or step down, however.
"We are gratified that Syrian partners have cleared [IS] from more than a third of the territory it once controlled in Syria," the statement said.
"We commend the efforts of Coalition and Syrian opposition forces who, via Operation Euphrates Shield, have successfully cleared [IS] from al-Bab, Dabiq, Jarabulus and other areas. Overall, the number of [IS] fighters has been reduced by half." The coalition also commended Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj and the forces aligned with the Government of National Accord (GNA) for the liberation of the city of Sirte from IS.
The statement urged "all parties including the relevant security actors to commit to the Libya Political Agreement and resolve their differences through dialogue and national reconciliation." In order to disrupt the flow of fighters and finances across borders, the coalition urged its members to utilize the newest non-nation partner in the fight against IS: INTERPOL.
"We encourage members to contribute and screen against records of lost and stolen passports, foreign terrorist fighter profiles and biometric filters maintained in INTERPOL's global criminal investigative databases. We likewise encourage establishing access between INTERPOL's I-24/7 system and all borders and ports of entry to prevent, interdict and deter foreign terrorist travel," the statement said.
For fighters going back to their home countries, "we must address the issue by various means that may include reintegration and rehabilitation, as well as monitoring, investigation, and prosecution," the coalition said.
"We will intensify our efforts to confront [IS] in the digital battlespace and reshape the public narrative around [IS] to one of failure," the coalition continued.
"Members will continue their collaboration to discredit [IS] propaganda, emphasizing credible, authentic voices that provide alternative narratives." The partners "remain firmly united in our outrage," and are committed to "an integrated, multidimensional, and comprehensive approach to defeat [IS] and its global networks," the statement affirmed.
The next meeting of the Small Group and working groups of the Global Coalition in July 2017. (end) ys.ibi