Russia to help fight Islamists in the Middle East

PARIS — The United States and Russia will share intelligence on Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq and work together to combat the threat of terrorism that hangs over the region, U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry said Tuesday after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

After three hours of talks in Paris, Kerry said Russia has agreed to “explore” whether to provide more weapons to Iraqi security forces fighting Islamist extremists, as well as to train and advise them.
The two top diplomats also discussed how to keep Iran’s nuclear program from being converted to military use.

Middle East envoys summoned to Islamabad for urgent discussion

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam has said that envoys from key Middle Eastern countries have been summoned to meet here on May 4 for an urgent discussion with regard to the situation in Syria in particular and the Middle East in general.

The spokeswoman said various issues, including those related to Pakistanis living in Gulf states would also be discussed. She said envoys from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Egypt and Yemen have been summoned.

Middle East envoys summoned to Islamabad for urgent discussion

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasneem Aslam has said that envoys from key Middle Eastern countries have been summoned to meet here on May 4 for an urgent discussion with regard to the situation in Syria in particular and the Middle East in general.

The spokeswoman said various issues, including those related to Pakistanis living in Gulf states would also be discussed. She said envoys from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, Syria, Egypt and Yemen have been summoned.