US, UK, Germany, France, Italy to Intensify Struggle Against IS

Washington (PNA/Sputnik) — The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and France agreed on Monday to step up action to defeat the Islamic State (IS or ISIL) militant group, the White House said in a statement.

Earlier in the day, US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in the Turkish city of Antalya to discuss significant issues of the world agenda, including the recent wave of deadly terror attacks in Paris.

“In the wake of the horrific terrorist attacks in Paris, the leaders underscored the urgency of continuing and enhancing action to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group ISIL,” the statement said.

The statement added that all the participants of the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to this goal.

Late on Friday, extremists launched a series of attacks on several venues across Paris, killing some 130 people and injuring over 350 at several locations, including restaurants, the Bataclan concert hall and in the vicinity of the Stade de France stadium. IS militants claimed responsibility for the attacks. (PNA/Sputnik) JMC/SSC