Trump: We’ll end terror and bring peace to world
President calls on Muslims to join ‘battle of good and evil’
DONALD Trump yesterday urged Muslim countries to take the lead in stamping out terrorism instead of relying on America to crush their common enemies.
The US President used his first foreign visit to rally the Muslim world to join America and mark the ‘beginning of the end’ for extremists.
Speaking at the Arab-Islamic American Summit in riyadh, Saudi Arabia – the birthplace of Islam – he urged Muslim rulers to ‘drive out’ Islamist terrorists.
He said the unprecedented summit of more than 50 leaders could lead to world peace. ‘With God’s help, this summit will mark the beginning of the end for those who practise terror and spread its vile creed,’ said President Trump.
‘At the same time, we pray this special gathering may some day be remembered as the beginning of peace in the Middle East and maybe even all over the world.’
He urged Christians, Jews and Muslims to join in peace – including ‘peace between Israelis and Palestinians’.
His comments, made after signing an £84billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, contrasted with ones he made about Muslims while he was a presidential candidate, when he said, ‘I think Islam hates us’ and ‘There’s a tremendous hatred there’.
He also caused global anger when he came to power with his threat to ban many Muslims from entering the US. But yesterday, he said evil could only be overcome if the ‘forces of good are united and strong’.
He vowed to meet ‘history’s great test’ by conquering extremism with nations that have suffered most.
President Trump said: ‘Terrorism has spread across the world. But the path to peace begins right here, on this ancient soil, in this sacred land. 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.’ The speech is seen as a reset of his approach after previous comments caused concern among Muslims.
Calling it a ‘new chapter’, he said he was not there to ‘lecture’ them or impose the American way of life.
He did, however, urge the Islamic world had to do its duty, adding: ‘Muslim nations must be willing to take on the burden if we are going to defeat terrorism, to meet history’s great test and conquer extremism. Muslim-majority countries must take the lead.’
Instead of being a clash between the West and Islam, he said, it was ‘a battle between good and evil’, adding: ‘Drive them out of your places of worship, your communities, your Holy Land and the Earth.’ He warned terrorists: ‘If you choose the path of terror, your life will be empty, your life will be brief, and your soul will be fully condemned.’
He said the region had been ‘held at bay by bloodshed and terror’.
The President also blamed Iran for supporting and aiding ‘unspeakable crimes’ in Syria, and said Iran had unsettled the Middle East and was the key road block to peace.
He did not repeat the phrase ‘radical Islamic terrorism’, which he has used before and offends Muslims.
The US and six Gulf states are also expected to co-ordinate efforts to stop funding for extremists.
During a nine-day tour, Mr Trump will go to Israel to meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas. He will also see Pope Francis, meet Nato leaders in Brussels and attend the G7 in Sicily.