NATO to join anti-IS coalition

BRUSSELS, May 25 (KUNA) -- NATO leaders wrapped up a meeting at the new NATO Headquarters in Brussels by agreeing to join the international coalition against the so-called Islamic State (IS), NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday.
"The Alliance agreed an action plan to do more in the fight against terrorism. NATO will become a full member of the Global Coalition, in which all 28 Allies already take part," he told a press conference after the one-day summit.
Stoltenberg said he has decided to designate a senior NATO official as coordinator, to ensure that the new action plan is implemented swiftly and effectively.
He clarified that "being in the coalition does not mean that NATO will engage in combat. But it does send a strong signal of our commitment to fight global terrorism." NATO leaders also decided to establish a terrorism intelligence cell to improve the sharing of information among Allies including on the threat of foreign fighters.
Work is also underway to establish a Hub for the South in Naples to monitor and assess regional threats, including terrorism.
The NATO chief announced that Montenegro will become the twenty-ninth member of the Alliance in just a few weeks.
He said that NATO will continue training for Iraqi forces. Iraqi troops trained by NATO to defuse improvised explosive devices are, right now, putting their skills to use in the battle for Mosul.
Meanwhile, about 100 activists attempted to disrupt the NATO summit this afternoon by blocking a crossroad near the entrance of the new NATO building.
Police intervened and dispersed the protesters.
On Wednesday evening about 10,000 people demonstrated against the visit of US President Donald Trump to Belgium to attend the NATO summit in Brussels. (end) nk.mb