isolate terror, iran: trump
At Saudi summit, US president offers Muslim leaders a new partnership to pursue better future for all
riyadh — US President Donald Trump on Sunday urged Islamic leaders to take a stand against violence done in the name of religion, describing the struggle against extremism as a “battle between good and evil”.
The UAE was represented at the Arab Islamic American Summit by His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.
In a highly anticipated speech in Saudi Arabia, Trump lashed out at Iran, accusing Tehran of fuelling “the fires of sectarian conflict and terror” and calling for its international isolation. Saying he came with “a message of friendship and hope and love”, Trump told dozens of Muslim leaders that the time had come for “honestly confronting the crisis of extremism”. “This is a battle between barbaric criminals who seek to obliterate human life, and decent people of all religions who seek to protect it. This is a battle between good and evil,” he said.
“Until the Iranian regime is willing to be a partner for peace, all nations of conscience must work together to isolate it,” the US president added.
Terrorists do not worship God, they worship death. This is not a battle between different faiths. This is a battle between good and evil — Trump
The Iranian regime has been the spearhead of global terrorism since the Ayatollah Khomeini revolution in 1979 — King Salman
riyadh — US President Donald Trump called on Arab leaders to do their fair share to “drive out” terrorism from their countries on Sunday in a speech that put the burden on the region to combat militant groups.
Trump, who generated controversy with his push to ban many Muslims from entering the United States, described the fight against terrorism as a battle between good and evil rather than a clash of civilisations.
“America is prepared to stand with you in pursuit of shared interests and common security. But nations of the Middle East cannot wait for American power to crush this enemy for them,” Trump told leaders of 55 Muslim majority countries representing more than a billion people.
“The nations of the Middle East will have to decide what kind of future they want for themselves, for their countries and frankly for their families and for their children,” he said.
“It’s a choice between two futures and its a choice America cannot make for you. A better future is only possible if your nations drive out the terrorists and drive out the extremists.
“Drive them out! Drive them out of your places of worship. Drive them out of your communities. Drive them out of your holy land and drive them out of this earth,” he said.
Trump’s “America first” philosophy helped him win the 2016 election and has rattled allies who depend on US support for their defence. The president, who is struggling to contain a brewing political scandal at home, made clear in his address that Washington would partner with the Middle East but expected more action in return.
“Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land,” he said in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a nine-day tour that includes Israel, Italy and Belgium. The speech in a gilded hall bedecked with chandeliers is part of an effort to redefine his relationship with the Muslim world after Trump frequently attacked Muslims on the campaign trail last year and tried to ban many from entering the United States.
Trump received a warm welcome from Arab leaders, who set aside his campaign rhetoric about Muslims and focused on his desire to crack down on Iran’s influence in the region, a commitment they found wanting in Obama. Trump’s signature phrase “radical terrorism” was not included in the speech, according to excerpts released in advance by the White House.
As a candidate, Trump proposed temporarily banning Muslims from entering the United States. In office he ordered temporary bans on people from certain Muslimmajority countries, which have been blocked by courts that ruled they were discriminatory. Introducing Trump, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, described their mutual foe Iran as the source of terrorism they must confront together.
“Our responsibility before God and our people and the whole world is to stand united to fight the forces of evil and extremism wherever they are ... The Iranian regime represents the tip of the spear of global terrorism.” The US and Gulf Arab countries announced agreement to coordinate efforts against the financing of terrorist groups. Trump’s welcome in the region was put on display during a series of individual meetings with Arab leaders.
To Bahrain’s King, His Majesty Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Trump declared that the two nations had a lot in common and “there won’t be strain with this administration.” The king lauded the relationship and said it had led to “great stability in the region and prosperity”. Bahrain is home to the US fleet in the Middle East. The speech came as Trump tried to escape the fallout from his May 9 firing of former FBI Director James Comey amid accusations he was trying to stop a federal investigation into his campaign’s ties with Russia last year.
The New York Times reported Trump called Comey a “nut job” in a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. —