Close X
Monday, November 18, 2024
ADVT 
National

U.S., Britain challenge NATO to meet ISIL crisis

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 04 Sep, 2014 10:44 AM
    A meeting of NATO leaders convened in Britain today facing no shortage of crises and a challenge from two of its dominant partners to confront a virulent new form of Islamic extremism in the Middle East.
     
    Both U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron called on the 28-member military alliance to deal with the emerging threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, an al-Qaida splinter group.
     
    "We meet here at a solemn moment for our alliance and the security of our nations," Cameron said at the opening of the summit, being held on a rolling golf resort in this sea-side Welsh community.
     
    "We meet at a crucial time in the history of our alliance. The world faces many dangerous and evolving threats and it is absolutely clear that NATO is as vital to our future as it has been in our past."
     
    Even the brush fire war in eastern Ukraine and a resurgent Russia seemed to be eclipsed by the growing concern over ISIL, whose ranks of hardened fighters have been bolstered by hundreds of westerners from Britain, Canada and the United States.
     
    The urgency is propelled by horrific Internet images of beheaded journalists and reports of atrocities in Syria and northern Iraq, as well as the fear that foreign fighters could return home to continue their war in the West.
     
    U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry convened a meeting of possible coalition partners, who could participate in an expanded bombing campaign and humanitarian relief operation.
     
    Notably absent from the meeting was Canada's foreign affairs minister, John Baird, who was in Iraq meeting members of the new government and Kurdish leaders who've shouldered the bulk of the ground fighting along with elements of the Iraqi Army.
     
    Cameron left little doubt that Britain and the U.S. are counting on NATO to step up.
     
    "NATO is the anchor of our security and over the next two days, we must reinvigorate and refocus this alliance to tackle new threats and to ensure it continues to foster stability around the world," he said.
     
    Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who is also attending the summit, made it clear Wednesday, speaking to a British business audience, that Canada is prepared to do more as part of the international effort.
     
    The Canadian air force is currently using two cargo planes to fly arms and ammunition into Iraq.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Sikhs allowed to carry kirpans in Canadian missions

    Sikhs allowed to carry kirpans in Canadian missions
    The Canadian government has approved a new policy which allows Sikh visitors to Canadian diplomatic missions abroad to wear kirpans.

    Sikhs allowed to carry kirpans in Canadian missions

    Teenager arrested after theft of SINs from Canadian Revenue Agency using Heartbleed

    Teenager arrested after theft of SINs from Canadian Revenue Agency using Heartbleed
    A 19-year-old male from London, Ontario has been arrested for stealing 900 Social Insurance Numbers from the Canadian Revenue Agency by employing the HeartBleed bug.

    Teenager arrested after theft of SINs from Canadian Revenue Agency using Heartbleed

    Boy, 15, charged after stabbing five individuals at Regina Mall

    Boy, 15, charged after stabbing five individuals at Regina Mall
    A 15-year-old boy has been charged after four individuals were stabbed randomly at a Regina mall Tuesday evening.   

    Boy, 15, charged after stabbing five individuals at Regina Mall

    Punjabi emigre group wants placement, travel agents vetted

    Punjabi emigre group wants placement, travel agents vetted
     The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) Tuesday sought scrutiny of advertisements published by travel agents in India for jobs in foreign countries.

    Punjabi emigre group wants placement, travel agents vetted

    Five killed in Calgary House Party Stabbing. Charged Teen is policeman's son

    Five killed in Calgary House Party Stabbing. Charged Teen is policeman's son
    Five people were killed in a stabbing rampage during a house party in the southwest Canadian city of Calgary early Tuesday. One suspect has been arrested, police said.

    Five killed in Calgary House Party Stabbing. Charged Teen is policeman's son

    Sri Lanka accuses Canada of misusing voluntary funds

    Sri Lanka accuses Canada of misusing voluntary funds
    The Sri Lankan government Tuesday accused the Canadian government of using its voluntary funds to the Commonwealth Secretariat as a political tool based on the dictates of electoral compulsions.

    Sri Lanka accuses Canada of misusing voluntary funds