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Fight against Islamic state

Military measures are one aspect of fighting Islamic State militants - Kerry

Iraq was on the forward line of fight against IS, and the international community should unite to help it, U.S. Secretary of State and Secretary General of LAS said in a telephone conversation

© AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File

WASHINGTON, September 07 /ITAR-TASS/. Military measures are only one of the aspects of fighting militants of the (IS) group, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a telephone conversation with Secretary General of the League of Arab States (LAS) Nabil al-Arabi on Saturday.

The sides discussed the need for LAS and its members to occupy firm positions in the coalition against IS and also noted the importance of resolute action to block the IS personnel and financial flows, a U.S. State Department official said.

According to him, the state secretary said that the military aspect was only part of these efforts and the removal of the IS threat requires a comprehensive approach and takes time. They also said it was necessary to co-ordinate efforts with the Arab partners at the international, regional and local levels, in particular, the military, diplomatic, law enforcement, intelligence and economic steps. They said that Iraq was on the forward line of fight against IS, and the international community should unite to help it.

The U.S. State Department said the Kerry - Arabi conversation was held in the run-up to a LAS ministerial meeting, scheduled for Sunday.

The White House said U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden held a telephone conversation with the leaders of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani. Biden said during the conversation it was necessary to create as soon as possible Iraq’s new government.

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