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Arab states back US push against Islamic state Arab states join US fight against Islamic State
(about 1 hour later)
Ten Arab countries have agreed to help the US in its fight against the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS).Ten Arab countries have agreed to help the US in its fight against the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS).
After talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Jeddah, they pledged to provide military support and humanitarian aid, and to halt the flow of funds and foreign fighters to IS.After talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Jeddah, they pledged to provide military support and humanitarian aid, and to halt the flow of funds and foreign fighters to IS.
Mr Kerry told the BBC they were "full-throatedly ready" to counter the group. Mr Kerry told the BBC they were "full-throatedly ready" to combat the group.
However, Russia warned the US against expanding its campaign of air strikes from Iraq into neighbouring Syria.However, Russia warned the US against expanding its campaign of air strikes from Iraq into neighbouring Syria.
The Russian foreign ministry said any such action, without the backing of the UN Security Council, would be "an act of aggression" and a "gross violation" of international law.The Russian foreign ministry said any such action, without the backing of the UN Security Council, would be "an act of aggression" and a "gross violation" of international law.
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama set out his plans to "destroy and degrade" IS and revealed that he had authorised air strikes in Syria.On Wednesday, President Barack Obama set out his plans to "destroy and degrade" IS and revealed that he had authorised air strikes in Syria.
'Danger unleashed''Danger unleashed'
Mr Kerry has been tasked with building a broad coalition against IS, also known as Isis or Isil.Mr Kerry has been tasked with building a broad coalition against IS, also known as Isis or Isil.
On Thursday, ministers representing Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offered their support.On Thursday, ministers representing Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates offered their support.
A joint communique declared a "shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism".A joint communique declared a "shared commitment to stand united against the threat posed by all terrorism".
It added that participants had "discussed a strategy to destroy Isil wherever it is, including in both Iraq and Syria".It added that participants had "discussed a strategy to destroy Isil wherever it is, including in both Iraq and Syria".
"The region recognises the danger that has been unleashed and they are full-throatedly ready to deal with that and that is why they committed today to take the actions they have committed to," Mr Kerry told the BBC."The region recognises the danger that has been unleashed and they are full-throatedly ready to deal with that and that is why they committed today to take the actions they have committed to," Mr Kerry told the BBC.
Nato member Turkey was also at the Jeddah meeting, but did not sign the communique. Mr Kerry downplayed the move, saying the important US ally was dealing with some "sensitive issues" but remained "very engaged and has been very involved".Nato member Turkey was also at the Jeddah meeting, but did not sign the communique. Mr Kerry downplayed the move, saying the important US ally was dealing with some "sensitive issues" but remained "very engaged and has been very involved".
Analysis: BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan MarcusAnalysis: BBC diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus
This is coalition building in action. On paper, John Kerry could have wished for little more. Translating words into actions, though, may be more difficult.This is coalition building in action. On paper, John Kerry could have wished for little more. Translating words into actions, though, may be more difficult.
In some Gulf countries there remains a modicum of sympathy for Islamic State. Iran was, of course, not present - it is a strong competitor of Saudi Arabia's but nonetheless a key "ally", of a kind, in this struggle.In some Gulf countries there remains a modicum of sympathy for Islamic State. Iran was, of course, not present - it is a strong competitor of Saudi Arabia's but nonetheless a key "ally", of a kind, in this struggle.
Holding this disparate coalition together in regard to Iraq is one thing, but countering IS in Syria may stretch it to its limits.Holding this disparate coalition together in regard to Iraq is one thing, but countering IS in Syria may stretch it to its limits.
Turkey has reportedly been reluctant to take a prominent role in the coalition, partly out of concern for the 49 Turkish citizens being held hostage by IS.Turkey has reportedly been reluctant to take a prominent role in the coalition, partly out of concern for the 49 Turkish citizens being held hostage by IS.
Mr Kerry also rejected accusations that President Obama is responsible for the rise of IS because he failed to take action against the group earlier in the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.Mr Kerry also rejected accusations that President Obama is responsible for the rise of IS because he failed to take action against the group earlier in the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
"I think over time people will realise the outgrowth of this is really the responsibility of Assad himself," he said. "He has been the magnet that attracted foreign fighters.""I think over time people will realise the outgrowth of this is really the responsibility of Assad himself," he said. "He has been the magnet that attracted foreign fighters."
'Act of aggression' Air strikes
In his televised speech on Wednesday, Mr Obama said Americans would "hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are". Mr Obama has asked the US Congress to approve a bill seeking $500m (£308m) to fund an increase in the training and arming of "moderate" Syrian rebels so that they can take the fight to the jihadist group.
"That means I will not hesitate to take action against Isil in Syria, as well as Iraq. This is a core principle of my presidency: if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven," he said. The Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, has given his support to the move, telling reporters: "At this point in time, it's important to give the president what he asked for."
The possibility of air strikes brought a strong reaction from Russia - a staunch ally of Syria's President Assad. In Iraq, the US has carried out more than 150 air strikes against IS.
"This step, in the absence of a UN Security Council decision, would be an act of aggression, a gross violation of international law," spokesman Alexander Lukashevich was quoted as saying. On Thursday, aircraft attacked jihadist positions near the strategically important Mosul Dam in support of Iraqi security forces. The Pentagon said two machine-gun emplacements and a bunker were destroyed.
Damascus has offered to assist the international community, but also warned on Thursday against unauthorised strikes on its territory. The US has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops.
"Any action of any kind without the consent of the Syrian government would be an attack on Syria," National Reconciliation Minister Ali Haidar said.
Washington and its allies still want Mr Assad out of power and until now they have been reluctant to launch air strikes on IS strongholds in Syria because they might benefit the government.
In Iraq, the US has carried out more than 150 air strikes against the group. It has also sent military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, but has ruled out sending troops.