Merkel: Islam Is Not The Source Of terrorism ... We Have To Involve The Islamic Countries In Fight It

BAGHDAD / NINA / German Chancellor Angela Merkel said "Islam is not the source of terrorism and we should involve the Islamic countries in combating it." She said in her speech to the Munich Security Conference that "the Europeans are in a real need to help America in facing terrorism, and we look forward to deepening our relationship with Russia and cooperate in the fight against terrorism." Merkel added, "We are facing a multipolar world, and there is no single country that can meet all the current challenges, there is a significant rise of China, the United States and Europe." The activities of the 53rd session of the security and political forum started on Friday 17 and will continue to 19 Feb. German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen warned of transforming the war on "Daesh" to a battle against all Muslims. The German minister said in a speech on Friday at the opening of the Conference on Security Policy in Munich, "we must be careful not to make this fight to a front against Islam and Muslims in general." She added, "our friends in America know that their tune towards Europe and NATO has a direct effect on the cohesion of our continent." She stressed that "a stable European union is in favor of the United States, and also strong and united Atlantic alliance." For his part, US Defense Secretary James Mattis stressed that Europe can no longer rely on the United States on the security issues. Mattis added, in a speech at the conference: "We have to enhance our NATO to face the risks and challenges with adherence to ensuring the free flow of ideas." It is mentioned that more than 500 participants, including heads of Ukraine and Poland, new Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, delegate of the foreign policy of the European Union Frederica Mugireny, the Secretary General of NATO, in addition to 47 foreign ministers, 30 defense ministers and 90 MPs attended in Munich Security Conference. The conference will discuss a range of current security issues, including the risk of attacks through cyberspace, the current situations of the Syrian crisis, and the effects and consequences of the popular mass demonstrations in Ukraine. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi arrived to Munich on Friday evening to participate in the conference, at the head of a delegation included the ministers of planning, defense, and national security adviser and a number of senior officials ./ End