Al-Sisi says 'Arab coalition' must be formed

CAIRO (AA) – Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday called for the formation of an "Arab Coalition" to counter dangers posed by the militant movement Islamic State.
"The Islamic State poses a real danger, not an imaginary one as some people believe," al-Sisi said during a meeting with some Egyptian journalists and TV anchors.
"This danger makes it necessary for an Arab coalition to be formed," one of the journalists attending the meeting quoted him as saying.
Al-Sisi is expected to pay a visit to Saudi Arabia on Sunday. He described this visit as "important" and, apparently referring to the Islamic State, al-Sisi said Egypt and Saudi Arabia face the same dangers. He said he would go to Saudi Arabia to express solidarity and also take some measures in this regard.
The Egyptian President did not elaborate on these measures. He also denied reports about the presence of Egyptian troops on the Saudi-Iraqi border.
He said his country coordinates with Algeria at present to counter border terrorism.
The Islamic state, a group of international militants, has overrun vast areas in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. has started launching airstrikes against the movement in Iraq.
By Ahmed al-Sersawi