Asselborn pledges support for anti-ISIL coalition

(CS) Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has reiterated Luxembourg's support in the fight against Islamic State militants, speaking at a meeting with representatives of the international anti-ISIL coalition in Brussels on Wednesday.

The Brussels meeting was the first official gathering of the global anti-IS coalition, led by the US, with 60 countries in attendance.

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister reiterated Luxembourg's support for the coalition's goals and objectives, saying that the Grand Duchy would help in the fight against IS, especially through significant humanitarian aid contributions.

Some 13 million euros have already been given to support Syrian refugees, the minister pointed out, in addition to UNHCR and World Food Programme contributions. Asselborn also welcomed assurances made by Iraqi PM Haider al-Abadi, who outlined the Iraqi government's plans to fight ISIL through a combination of security, political and economic measures, as well as an inclusive political process.

Asselborn further commented that Muslim leaders worldwide needed to take a stand against ISIL and send a strong message against their barbarity.

“We can only succeed in the fight against extremism if the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as the rule of law, are an integral part of our strategy in the fight against terrorism. Otherwise, we run the risk of feeding feelings of injustice and impunity, which in turn feed radicalisation and the spread of terrorism,” Asselborn concluded.

Coalition partners on Wednesday met by invitation of US Secretary of State John Kerry. At the meeting five main pillars of action in the fight against ISIL were outlined:

• Supporting military operations, capacity building and training;

• stopping the flow of foreign terrorist fighters;

• cutting of ISIL's access to financing and funding;

• addressing associated humanitarian relief and crises;

• exposing ISIL's true nature (ideological delegitimisation).

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