The US and Russia offered their support to Persian Gulf Arab countries as the region tries to come to terms with the escalating conflict in Syria, the threat from militant groups and the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
John Kerry, US secretary of state and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov spoke at the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council Summit in Qatar’s capital Doha on Monday after a busy diplomatic schedule, Al Jazeera reported.
Kerry promised more weapons, more intelligence-sharing and more army training for the predominantly Sunni Arab states.
“A ballistic missile defense capability, expediting arms transfers, special forces training, maritime and cyber security programs and a significant boost in intelligence-sharing were discussed,” Kerry said.
“Working groups on those issues will begin meeting next week in Saudi Arabia.”
Lavrov mainly spoke about the Syrian crisis, asserting that any US military strikes in Syria that hit the army would complicate counterterrorism efforts there.
He said a settlement to Syria’s war needed dialogue between all parties.
Lavrov added that the IS is the main danger in Syria and neighboring Iraq and that is why Russia supports the governments of both countries.
Russia has been trying to bring about rapprochement between the Syrian government and regional states, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey, to forge an alliance to fight IS.
