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Islamic State: John Kerry in Egypt for coalition talks Egypt 'has key role' in fight against Islamic State - Kerry
(about 1 hour later)
US Secretary of State John Kerry is in Egypt in his campaign to form a broad coalition to tackle Islamic State (IS) militants. Egypt has a key role to play in countering Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on a visit to Cairo.
Mr Kerry is meeting Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi and Egypt's President Sisi in Cairo. He met Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi and Egypt's President Sisi as part of his campaign to form a broad coalition to tackle IS militants.
He has enlisted the support of 10 Arab states so far, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but on Friday he ruled out Iran joining the US-led coalition. He has already enlisted the support of 10 Arab states so far but he has ruled out Iran joining the US-led coalition.
On Friday, the CIA said IS has as many as 30,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.On Friday, the CIA said IS has as many as 30,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq.
IS controls large parts of both countries and its fighters have become notorious for their brutality, but in recent weeks they have been targeted by US air strikes.IS controls large parts of both countries and its fighters have become notorious for their brutality, but in recent weeks they have been targeted by US air strikes.
On Wednesday, President Barack Obama unveiled plans for an expansion of the US campaign against IS.On Wednesday, President Barack Obama unveiled plans for an expansion of the US campaign against IS.
He vowed to "hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are."He vowed to "hunt down terrorists who threaten our country, wherever they are."
The 10 Arab countries to have signed up to the coalition are: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.The 10 Arab countries to have signed up to the coalition are: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In the latest leg of his Middle East tour, Mr Kerry is meeting the Arab League secretary general and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to discuss how the coalition will act against IS. Sinai militants
In the latest leg of his Middle East tour, Mr Kerry has met the Arab League secretary general and Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi to discuss how the coalition will act against IS.
Egypt's foreign minister has signalled a desire for the campaign against IS to be broadened to militants active in the Sinai who have expressed support for IS, says the BBC's Barbara Plett-Usher in Cairo.
Foreign fighters cross through the Sinai en route to Syria, with some offering expertise and training to local militants there, a senior state department official has said.
But US officials say they need to keep the focus on IS as the biggest danger because it crosses borders and would expand if not stopped, our correspondent adds.
Mr Kerry says military and intelligence experts will spend the coming days working out how each state will contribute.Mr Kerry says military and intelligence experts will spend the coming days working out how each state will contribute.
But speaking in Turkey on Friday, he said it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to join the group because of its "engagement in Syria and elsewhere".But speaking in Turkey on Friday, he said it would be "inappropriate" for Iran to join the group because of its "engagement in Syria and elsewhere".
Iran has backed the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, while the US and several European and Gulf countries have supported the rebel factions fighting to overthrow him.Iran has backed the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, while the US and several European and Gulf countries have supported the rebel factions fighting to overthrow him.
Mr Kerry held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday in an effort to secure more co-operation from the Turkish government in the fight against IS.Mr Kerry held talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Friday in an effort to secure more co-operation from the Turkish government in the fight against IS.
Turkey has refused to allow the use of its air bases to launch attacks on the jihadist group.Turkey has refused to allow the use of its air bases to launch attacks on the jihadist group.
The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil says one reason is that Turkey fears for the lives of nearly 50 Turkish hostages held by the militants, including staff from the consulate in Mosul.The BBC's Jim Muir in Irbil says one reason is that Turkey fears for the lives of nearly 50 Turkish hostages held by the militants, including staff from the consulate in Mosul.
Support from FranceSupport from France
Meanwhile, France has offered its support for military action against IS and said it will host international talks on the campaign on Monday.Meanwhile, France has offered its support for military action against IS and said it will host international talks on the campaign on Monday.
French President Francois Hollande visited Iraq's capital Baghdad on Friday and held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.French President Francois Hollande visited Iraq's capital Baghdad on Friday and held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi.
"I came here to Baghdad to state France's availability in providing even more military assistance to Iraq," he told reporters."I came here to Baghdad to state France's availability in providing even more military assistance to Iraq," he told reporters.
In recent months IS has expanded from its stronghold in eastern Syria and seized control of more towns, cities, army bases and weaponry in Iraq.In recent months IS has expanded from its stronghold in eastern Syria and seized control of more towns, cities, army bases and weaponry in Iraq.
The US has already carried out more than 150 air strikes in northern Iraq. It has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops.The US has already carried out more than 150 air strikes in northern Iraq. It has also sent hundreds of military advisers to assist Iraqi government and Kurdish forces, but has ruled out sending ground troops.