Riyadh: Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Elkhereiji and United States Special Envoy for Syria Ambassador Thomas Barrack co-chaired the meeting of political directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in Riyadh on Monday, hosted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with broad international participation.
According to Saudi Press Agency, Vice Minister Elkhereiji delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of continuing international efforts to confront transnational terrorism and the direct threat it poses to the security and stability of societies. He stressed the need for collective commitment to achieving peace and stability.
Elkhereiji stated: "Experience has proven that terrorist organizations, foremost among them ISIS, are capable of adapting and changing their tools and methods, exploiting protracted conflicts, weak institutions, and fragile humanitarian situations."
The vice minister welcomed the Syrian Arab Republic's accession to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, marking it as the 90th member. He expressed the Kingdom's support for the Syrian government's positive steps toward unity, stability, and peace, which serve the aspirations of the Syrian people.
He emphasized that the presence of the ISIS terrorist organization in Syria and Iraq complicates the challenges, as security, humanitarian, and political factors intertwine. He noted that addressing these challenges requires confrontation and coordination to protect civilians and contribute to creating conditions that prevent any threats.
Elkhereiji commended Iraq's decisive efforts and ongoing coordination with the Global Coalition to eliminate the organization. He also welcomed Syria's assumption of responsibility for some detention facilities and displacement camps housing ISIS fighters and their families. He reiterated the Kingdom's support for all measures that contribute to consolidating security and stability in Syria, and reaffirmed the Kingdom's welcome of the Syrian government's statement regarding the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), under a comprehensive agreement that includes integrating the institutions of the Autonomous Administration into the Syrian state institutions.
