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Pakistan sees itself part of Saudi-led Islamic military alliance

Xinhua, December 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistan said on Thursday that it is part of a recently formed Islamic military alliance against terrorism being led by Saudi Arabia.

The Foreign Ministry spokesman came up with a changed stance about Pakistan's role in the alliance at his weekly press briefing.

The Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it was "awaiting further details to decide the extent of its participation in different activities of the alliance."

The state-owned Saudi Press Agency reported this week that the alliance will be led by Saudi Arabia and its command center will be in Riyadh to coordinate and support military operations to fight terrorism and to develop the necessary programs and mechanisms for supporting these efforts.

"Pakistan is part of the Saudi led 34-country alliance against terrorism and we are in contact with them to know about our role," Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said.

Khalilullah's remarks removed confusion over Pakistan's stance since the kingdom has announced the new alliance.

He said Pakistan is in the process of seeking more details of the alliance.

"Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are close friends and they cooperate with each other in diverse fields," the spokesman said while defending the decision.

According to a statement from the Saudi Press Agency, the alliance comprises Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Turkey, Chad, Togo, Tunisia, Djibouti, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Gabon, Guinea, Palestine, Comoros, Qatar, Cote d'Ivoire, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, the Maldives, Mali, Malaysia, Egypt, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria and Yemen.

Some other Islamic countries have also expressed their support for this alliance and will take the necessary measures in this regard, including Indonesia, the agency said in a statement. Endit